Knott’s to Reimburse Police for Efforts in Melee

Knott’s Berry Farm, under fire for a Cinco de Mayo celebration that required about 200 riot officers to calm rowdy youths, agreed Thursday to reimburse police for their efforts.

But officials at school districts in Los Angeles and Orange counties remained critical of the theme park, saying the event caused high absentee rates Wednesday that will cost them tens of thousands of dollars in lost state funding.

In the Anaheim Union High School District, administrators believe that roughly 10% of the student body ditched class to attend the event, adding up to a loss of more than $70,000. Other districts in the area also blamed the celebration for high absentee rates but said their losses in state money would be less.

“We need to get an accounting and file a lawsuit against them,” said Katherine Smith, a trustee with the Anaheim district. “I just feel that [Knott’s] should be held accountable for what they did. It was just such an irresponsible thing.”

The Buena Park Police Department hadn’t tabulated all its costs but expected overtime alone to run into thousands of dollars. Dozens of officers from surrounding police departments also responded to the scene, but it remains unclear whether Knott’s would be responsible for their costs.

Apologetic Knott’s Berry Farm officials said Thursday that they expect to pay for the police presence but aren’t sure how much that will be.

“I’m sure they’re going to give me a bill,” General Manager Jack Falfas said. “And it would be ludicrous not to pay it.”

Falfas also expressed concern about the huge numbers of schoolchildren who apparently cut classes to attend the event.

“One of the logical changes for us [in the future] is to be aware of the truancy issue” when scheduling events, he said.

Falfas declined to comment on whether the park would compensate school districts for their lost funds. Schools receive state money in part by the number of students who attend class daily.

The Cinco de Mayo event--which allowed people into the park for only 5 cents--prompted about 38,000 teens to converge on Knott’s Berry Farm on Wednesday. About 33,000 visitors had been admitted into the park when officials closed the gates at 10 a.m., leaving about 4,000 frustrated teens milling about outside. Typical attendance for a weekday during the school year is 4,500.

When more than 200 officers in riot gear arrived at the scene just before noon, they faced a hail of rocks and bottles. Some teens began fighting with one another and stopped traffic on nearby streets.

The disturbance took place just outside Knott’s but forced officials to close down one of Southern California’s largest amusement parks a few hours early.

The Cinco de Mayo celebration was promoted by KIIS-FM, a music station popular with teens, and Spanish language station KMEX-TV. It raised $10,333 for the Boys and Girls Club of Buena Park.