A "robust increase" in police presence and enforcement of a curfew for minors are among safety measures James City County police say they will implement at Busch Gardens' Howl-O-Scream.
This comes after a stabbing and a large fight at the amusement park during the first couple of weekends of the 2024 Howl-O-Scream attraction.
It also follows an announcement this week of a new chaperone policy at the park.
"Busch Gardens [Williamsburg] is a beloved destination in our community, and with the start of Howl-O-Scream, serious safety concerns have been raised," read a statement on social media from the James City County Police Department. "We are fully committed to ensuring a safe environment for all."
The county's curfew requires any person under age 18 to be accompanied by a parent or guardian if they are in a public place between midnight and 5 a.m.
JCCPD stressed that parents must make sure their kids are properly supervised at Howl-O-Scream and picked up from the park by the time it closes at midnight.
The department said that anyone who violates the curfew may be charged with a misdemeanor.
