Following a “teen takeover” incident that resulted in fights and significant police response in the parking lot on opening day, Six Flags St. Louis has implemented a new chaperone requirement for all guests aged 16 and younger.
The theme park’s updated policy, effective May 2, mandates that all guests 16 and under must be accompanied by a chaperone who is at least 21 years old and carries a valid photo ID. Each chaperone is permitted to supervise a maximum of six minors and must remain with them throughout their entire visit, including at entry. Any unaccompanied minors will be denied entry, and guests 17 and older may be required to provide ID verification.
The policy revision stems from what Eureka Police Chief Mike Werges characterized as an organized social media-driven gathering of teenagers.
Werges explained that a social media advertisement for a “teen takeover” attracted approximately 100 teenagers, primarily between ages 14 and 17, to the parking lot as the park closed for the evening. The gathering escalated into multiple physical altercations, necessitating assistance from officers from multiple agencies.
“The incident began Saturday evening (April 25) around 8 p.m.,” Werges stated, noting that officers had already increased surveillance following earlier reports of potentially disruptive youth activity.
“Fortunately, no injuries were sustained, no property was damaged, and we were able to disperse the crowd,” Werges noted.
Four juveniles were arrested, with four cases already forwarded to juvenile court. According to Werges, the involved teens were not local residents and arrived through various means, including parental drop-off, rideshare services like Uber, and transportation from older teenagers.
All incidents took place outside the park’s entrance gates.
“The entire situation occurred in the parking lot,” Werges clarified. “Park personnel and law enforcement collaborated to close concessions early and clear crowds from the park to manage the situation.”
In addition to the chaperone policy, Six Flags established a face covering prohibition as part of its revised dress code and conduct standards. Masks, including ski masks, balaclavas, and comparable coverings, are now prohibited.
Werges identified a common element among those involved.
“A significant number of these teenagers were wearing some form of face covering while in the parking lot,” he observed.
Following a meeting between police and park officials the next day, they reached an agreement on what Werges described as substantial security improvements, including heightened police visibility on busy days and weekends. He noted that the park’s new management, Enchanted Parks, has responded seriously to the incident and is collaborating with authorities.
“Our mission is to ensure that all visitors to Six Flags and Eureka feel secure,” Werges explained. “We encourage families and supervised minors to visit and enjoy themselves in a safe environment. Are these measures a direct response to Saturday’s events? Absolutely.”
Werges confirmed that no weapons were used during the altercations.
“The fights were hand-to-hand,” he said. “However, it’s important to understand that fighting on asphalt or concrete surfaces can escalate quickly and become dangerous, even unintentionally.”
Though comparable incidents have happened in other municipalities, Werges stated this was unprecedented in Eureka and expressed confidence that the new measures will prevent recurrence.
“By reducing large gatherings of unsupervised teenagers, I believe the chaperone requirement will be a critical deterrent,” he said.
Police will maintain enhanced patrols in the area as the park approaches its peak season, Werges announced.
“We will ensure that when people visit, they can bring their families with confidence and have a positive experience,” Werges concluded.
