Police credit an increased security presence during the Ss. Robert & William Catholic Parish Summer Festival from preventing the situation from getting out of control.
EUCLID, Ohio — Police clashed with large groups of “unruly juveniles” during a church festival last weekend, including the use of OC spray and pepper balls, but the police chief says an increased security presence ensured the incidents did not disrupt the festivities.
Euclid Chief Scott Meyer said in a news release that the unruly behavior occurred on Friday and Saturday nights during theon East 260th Street. No arrests were made, but Meyer said he was “extremely proud” of how his officers handled the situation. “They showed incredible restraint, professionalism and composure in a highly volatile situation,” Meyer said. “As a result, the festival felt very safe to the patrons.”, usually spurred by large groups of youths congregating at the events. In June, 10 youths were arrested and a gun was recovered at St. Clare Community Days in Lyndhurst after fights broke out. Also in June, fights during the St. Gabriel’s Summer Fest in Concord Township in Lake County resulted in four people being charged. Meyer said his department and church officials, aware of recent problems at other events, “implemented additional security measures” before last weekend’s festival, including hiring several off-duty Euclid officers for security. There reportedly was some “disruptive behavior” on Friday night during the festival. On Saturday and Sunday, the festival required that juveniles had to be checked in at the admissions gate by an adult. Meyer said groups of juveniles began congregating in the church parking lot on Friday and Saturday nights and were fighting, blocking traffic, jumping on vehicles and “causing a general inconvenience.” He said the crowd ignored requests to disperse and instead became aggressive, taunting and threatening to fight officers. Officers then used OC spray and pepper balls on the crowd. After leaving the parking lot, smaller groups went into nearby neighborhoods, where police again had to “disperse them in order to mediate the threat to the safety and security of the neighborhood,” Meyer said. “Our message was clearly sent that we were not tolerating this type of unruly and destructive behavior,” Meyer said. “The festival is an important event in Euclid and we are doing everything possible to keep it open and peaceful.” If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our
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