A Wary Magic Mountain Adds to Security for All-Night Party

Thousands of teen-agers drawn to an all-night party at Six Flags Magic Mountain Friday were greeted by security measures designed to prevent a repetition of the gang-related stabbings and fights that marred the Valencia amusement park’s last such party in June.

Park officials had arranged anti-gang surveillance by Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies, drug and weapon searches and selected inspections of vehicles entering the park. Security officers with guard dogs were assigned to patrol the park’s perimeter on horseback and in vehicles.

The gates opened at 9 p.m., and closing was scheduled for 5 a.m. today.

6 Stabbed June 21

During the amusement park’s “School’s Out” all-night party on June 21, six people were stabbed and 21 were arrested. Four security guards were assaulted. More than 100 youths were caught trying to sneak into the park.

However, only one suspected gang member was charged with a felony, assault with a deadly weapon.

The violence erupted when members of three San Fernando Valley street gangs confronted each other near a dance pavilion early in the morning, police said.

Magic Mountain has held a “Back to School” party every year since 1981, park spokeswoman Sherrie Bang said. No more than 20,000 of the $18 admission tickets would be sold, she said, and far fewer youths were expected to attend Friday night.

Fewer than 5,000 people had arrived at the park by 10 p.m., Bang said. There had been no problems, she said.

An estimated 25,000 teen-agers attended the June party.

Security Force Increased

Park officials in July increased the size of their security force, improved lighting outside the 260-acre park and began turning away customers suspected of being gang members. Security guards looked for clothing styles and insignias that might identify gang members.

Fifteen deputies from the Sheriff’s Department gang detail, Operation Safe Street, were to be stationed around the park’s main gate to identify gang members, Lt. Alan Chancellor said.

The gang unit has worked at the park on several weekends since the June violence, Chancellor said, but the number of officers on patrol was increased for Friday’s party.

Magic Mountain contracts with the Sheriff’s Department to supply off-duty deputies.

More CHP Presence

The California Highway Patrol also planned to increase its presence in the area in an effort to ease traffic congestion.

“The way to prevent problems in the park is keep contraband and gangs out of the park,” Bang said. “We want to provide a safe and secure environment.”

As park officials have previously, Bang declined to discuss the size of Magic Mountain’s security force.

The park encouraged youths to purchase tickets for the party early, partly to reduce crowding around the main gate and ease the task of screening the youths, Bang said.