Metal Detectors to Be Installed at Two Area Theme Parks

Permanent metal detectors will be installed at the shared entrance to the Magic Mountain and Hurricane Harbor theme parks, officials with the parks’ operator, Six Flags, announced Friday.

By December, all visitors to the adjacent Valencia parks will be required to pass through the high-tech screening devices to help ensure no weapons find their way inside, officials said.

“Metal detectors are becoming more common in our society, at airports and even schools,” Magic Mountain spokesman Andy Gallardo said. “Our security program is very thorough. This adds another layer of redundancy to our security efforts.”

But Six Flags representatives denied the installation of security devices was related to a fatal shooting and mob disturbances at Magic Mountain earlier this year.

In April, a 15-year-old Fontana boy was slain in the parking lot when a suspected gang member fired into a crowd shortly after the park had closed. In May, groups of unruly youths caused disturbances that drew dozens of Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies to the park.

Although metal detectors are commonly used at concert venues and other area amusement parks on a limited basis, Magic Mountain and Hurricane Harbor are believed to be the first Southern California parks to install the devices on a permanent basis.

Gallardo said Six Flags--purchased earlier this year by industry giant Premier Parks Inc.--has also installed metal detectors at its theme parks in Texas and New Jersey.

“There’s a heavy emphasis on park security under the new ownership,” he said. “The decision to install the metal detectors at this park was made by both Premier and Six Flags officials.”

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A spokesman for Disneyland said metal detectors are never used at that park, but officials at Universal Studios Hollywood and Knott’s Berry Farm said the devices are used at those parks during some special events.

“You need to look at the crowd and the demographic mix. We do use them on big nights and for our Halloween Haunt,” Knott’s spokesman Bob Ochsner said. “It’s more for peace of mind. If a park has metal detectors it doesn’t mean they are dangerous or questionable as far as security is concerned.”

The metal detectors at Magic Mountain and Hurricane Harbor will be similar to those used at airports and court buildings. They will be placed behind the ticket booths.

“They are designed to cause as little inconvenience to guests as possible,” Gallardo said.