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8510 E. Fern Avenue

Rosemead, CA 91770

Knotts Berry Farm Inc.

Attn: Custom Service

8039 Beach Blvd.

Buena Park, CA 90620

March 11, 2024

To whom it may concern

Hello, my name is Jaelyn Ung. I am currently a student at Roger W. Temple Intermediate School. The purpose of this letter is for a class assignment that requires me to write about a company that I love. I wrote to Knotts Berry Farm because it has always been an exciting place for me to go. While Knotts Berry Farm is an excellent spot to visit with friends, I have some concerns about why you guys have a chaperone policy only on Friday through Sunday.

My friends and I enjoy spending time at Knotts Berry Farm, however without a parent, we are unable to travel there. Our parents are often very busy and wouldn’t spend a lot of cash to watch kids. I believe that Knotts Berry Farm should discontinue the Chaperone Policy. According to the article entitled, “ My feelings toward implementing a theme park chaperone policy – DePaoli on DeParks” written by Jeff DePaoli, it states that the new policy allows Knotts Berry Farm to produce more money for them. It also points out how busy most parents are and how the regulation would prevent teenagers with bigger social circles from attending. My opponent may state that the rule is to keep reckless behavior from happening but they fail to realize that most teenagers are well-behaved and have fine manners. Most of the children hang out with their companions on the weekends or Fridays.  So it isn’t fair that well-mannered children want alone time with their friends on Friday- Sunday. Although I adore Knotts Berry Farm, the policy prevents me from taking my entire group of friends there without a parent, and most of our parents have busy schedules. Furthermore, they won't spend so much money simply to watch children ride roller coasters.

I would very much appreciate it if you wrote back to me and shared some of your thoughts on the policy. I like how Knott's Berry Farm has an amazing roller coaster and many delicious foods. Most of all, I love the scenery that Knotts Berry Farm has. Thank you for taking the time to read my letter.

Sincerely,

Jaelyn Ung

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Buena Park, 8039 Beach Blvd, United States

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no large groups with friends

stop independent teenagers from visiting

doesn't provide enough room for big families

teenager won't have freedom

some 13-17 ages are matured enough

just wanna hang out with friend and no parent

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stops kids from fighting and causing a commotion

safety for the employees

control children's bad behavior

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Should Knotts Berry Farm continue the chaperon policy?

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This article describes how, as a punishment for a recent fight between teens at the theme park, Knott's Berry Farm introduced a new chaperone policy requiring guests aged 17 or under to be accompanied by a chaperone who is 21 or older on Fridays and Saturdays.

1. After the fight, the park was forced to close early on Saturday night.

2. To protect visitors and employees, a chaperone may accompany up to three teenagers. There are also more rules on dress code and line-breaking.

3. Social media users posted a video of a brawl between teenagers, causing questions about safety and resulting in the hospitalization of two persons.

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Knott's Berry Farm announced last week that the theme park would be implementing a "chaperone policy" that will require all guests aged 17 or under to be accompanied by a 21-or-older chaperone throughout their visit to the park.

The policy, which applies on Fridays and Saturdays, was in response to a brawl among teenagers that forced the park to close early on the night of Saturday, July 16.

Any teens found unaccompanied in the park on Fridays or Saturdays "will be subject to ejection" under the policy, which began taking effect on Friday, July 22.

The policy follows an outbreak of violence among unruly teens around 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 16. Police said they initially responded to the park on reports of shots possibly being fired, but investigators determined no gunfire had occurred.

The park attributed the disturbance to "unruly behavior and altercations involving a number of teenagers."

Video circulated on social media showed a melee of brawling teens that sent many park visitors scrambling for safety. Two people were taken to hospitals for treatment.

The disturbance prompted the park to close three hours early.

Knott's announced the chaperone policy on its website.

On that webpage, and in a statement to NBC 4, Knott's said, "For decades, Knott's Berry Farm has been a place where families and friends come together to enjoy our one-of-a-kind park. Millions of guests have counted on us for their daily dose of wholesome family fun, and we're committed to keeping that promise going forward."

Knott's also includes a prohibited section which highlights behavior and acts not permitted in the park:

Carrying firearms is not allowed

Unsolicited photographs and videos

Disruptive behavior that interferes with guests enjoyment

Fighting or physical aggression of any kind, including verbal and physical assaults

Acts or behavior that park management deems is a safety concern

Harassing/ threatening behavior, sexual misconduct

Offensive language

Clothing with offensive language, obscene graphics

Intoxication or substance impairment

Smoking/ vaping not allowed inside

Under the chaperone policy, all teens aged 17 or less must be accompanied by a chaperone with a valid ID confirming their age of 21 or older on Fridays and Saturdays.

One chaperone can accompany as many as three teens, but the chaperone must "remain with their party at all times during their visit to the park and be available by phone throughout their stay."

The policy will be in effect "until further notice."

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Following Teen Fights, Knott's Berry Farm Starts New Chaperone Policy

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Knott's Berry Farm is introducing a new chaperone policy after multiple fights broke out at the theme park over the weekend. Here's what to know about the new...

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According to this article, some parents—like Parker from Yucaipa—are upset about Knott's Berry Farm's new chaperone policy, which requires that teenagers under the age of 17 be accompanied by a chaperone who is at least 21. They claim this policy is biased against families with more than three children and single parents.

1. Concerns were shown over the policy's effectiveness for larger families or groups, as well as how it might affect school trips and clubs for teenagers.

2. While some guests, like Sandra Espinosa, believe that the rule is a positive move toward increased safety, others, like Parker, believe it is overly strict and doesn't provide enough room for families.

3. The goal of the program is to decrease children's bad behavior

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2ND UPDATE: Knott's Berry Farm will reinstate a chaperone policy this weekend, requiring visitors aged 15 and younger to be accompanied by an adult.

The imposed a chaperone policy last summer in response to a melee that erupted among teens at the park in July. That policy, which applied to people ages 17 and younger, later was amended then dropped altogether in February.

A post on the park's website said the chaperone policy will be implemented again starting Saturday for both Knott's Berry Farm and its Soak City Waterpark in Buena Park, just northwest of Disneyland.

"Under this policy, all guests ages 15 years old or younger must be accompanied by a chaperone who is at least 21 years old in order to be admitted to or remain in the park after 4 p.m. local time to close," according to the park.

UPDATED, July 26: Knott's Berry Farm officials today announced the expansion of their policy regarding chaperones for youths in light of a recent brawl among teenagers at the theme park. More on that below.

Previously, the theme park required all guests 17 and younger to be accompanied by a 21-or-older chaperone on Fridays and Saturdays, but now the theme park is requiring it on Sundays and may add other days of the week if necessary.

"The safety of our guests and associates has always been our top priority at Knott's Berry Farm," officials said in a statement. "We are committed to keeping Knott's Berry Farm a place where families and friends come together to enjoy a one-of-a-kind park full of homegrown experiences and immersive entertainment."

The new policy was "well received" by guests last weekend, said officials.

The chaperones must prove their age and accompany up to four guests 17 and younger per day.

PREVIOUSLY on July 20: Responding to a brawl among teenagers that forced the park to close early on Saturday night, Knott's Berry Farm announced today a "chaperone policy" that will require all guests aged 17 or under to be accompanied by a 21-or-older chaperone throughout their visit to the park on Fridays and Saturdays.

Any teens found unaccompanied in the park on Fridays or Saturdays "will be subject to ejection" under the policy, which will take effect Friday.

The policy follows an outbreak of violence among unruly teens around 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Police said they initially responded to the park on reports of shots possibly being fired, but investigators determined no gunfire had occurred.

The disturbance was attributed by the park to "unruly behavior and altercations involving a number of teenagers."

Video circulated on social media showed a melee of brawling teens that sent many park visitors scrambling for safety. Two people were taken to hospitals for treatment.

The disturbance prompted the park to close three hours early.

Knott's announced the chaperone policy on its website, stating, "For decades, Knott's Berry Farm has been a place where families and friends come together to enjoy our one-of-a-kind park. Millions of guests have counted on us for their daily dose of wholesome family fun, and we're committed to keeping that promise going forward."

Local Gen X-ers might remember a simpler time in the early '90s when teens flocked to the park's Studio K to dance and romance without mom or dad present. Saturday's tumult and the resulting policy makes that memory seem even more distant.

Under the policy, one chaperone can accompany as many as three teens, but the chaperone must "remain with their party at all times during their visit to the park and be available by phone throughout their stay."

Interestingly, the new rules also curtail "Line Breaking - [which] includes leaving and re-entering a line for any reason or place holding in line."

The announcement also details a dress code:

Attire and accessories must meet Code of Conduct dress requirements and may not be offensive or violent and may not disrupt the general safety of guests or associates. Guests wearing character-themed outfits may not sign autographs for other guests or represent themselves as a park associate. Costumes that conceal identity are prohibited. Rides and attractions may also have additional restrictions on dress attire. Themed outfits/attire may be prohibited during evening Halloween events.

The policy will be in effect "until further notice" and also applies to Knott's Soak City Waterpark across the street.

PREVIOUSLY on Sunday: Fights and multiple reports of shots fired caused the Knott's Berry Farm to shut down early on Saturday night, police said.

Buena Park police said numerous 911 callers also reported shots fired, but investigators determined there was no gunplay at the amusement park.

Orange County Fire Authority reported three people injured in the fights. Two people were transported to area hospitals, with the third declining medical treatment.

"We're currently working an incident at Knott's Berry Farm involving multiple fights in the park," the Buena Park Police said. "A report of shots fired was reported with numerous 911 callers. Officers were on scene during the calls and determined there was no shooting."

The authorities added in a public advisory, "Knott's Berry Farm has closed for the night, and we ask you avoid the area until further notice."

"The safety of Knott's Berry Farm's guests and associates is always our top priority," the park said in a statement. "On Saturday evening, the decision was made to close the park 3 hours early due to unruly behavior and altercations involving a number of teenagers. This behavior did not align with our park's values, and was not the experience we want any guest to have while visiting Knott's Berry Farm."

pic.twitter.com/9mEnvZYeSr- Knott's Berry Farm (@knotts) July 17, 2022
City News Service contributed to this report.
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Knott's Berry Farm Reinstating Chaperone Policy For Teens - Update

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Knott's Berry Farm near Disneyland will reinstate a chaperone policy this weekend, requiring visitors aged 15 and younger to be accompanied by an adult.

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It review is about how it wouldn't seem fair to the kids who behave themselves. Some kids also enjoy their independence.

1. A major issue to think about is how the rules would affect Knott's business, specifically about the number of income coming from children as compared to families.

2. There are worries that the rules might stop independent-minded teens from visiting theme parks, which could affect their attraction to visit.

3. The policy points out that most responsible kids may be hurt by a few troublemakers, even though its main goals are for their safety and to deal with reckless behavior.

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My feelings toward implementing a theme park chaperone policy

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Will a theme park chaperone policy fix the problem of teenage rowdiness and how long can it be held in place?