WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — An analysis of James City County Police Department call data shows police officers have responded to more than 100 calls for service at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in 2024.
This weekend, an 18-year-old was stabbed following an altercation near the France area of the park. It comes exactly one week after a separate large-scale fight near the parking lot of Busch Gardens which police officials report involved hundreds of people during the park's Howl-O-Scream opening weekend.
13News Now requested the calls for service information for Busch Gardens from January 1 through September 16 of this year. Many of the most common reasons for police assistance is because of an accident, a disorderly person, or a lost item.
However, the log also revealed there are at least five fights that prompted a request for law enforcement assistance. Five assaults were reported as well.
In total, they make up less than 10% of total service calls to the park, but are a concern for long time visitors and now-turned parents like Matthew Ivy, who was at Busch Gardens on the night of the stabbing.
"They [Busch Gardens] should realize what's happening. And people will stop going because their family can't go and feel safe at the same time," he said.
As of Monday afternoon a suspect has not been named, arrested, or charged in the matter.
