Meridian cancels this week’s free Sparklight Movie Night at Settlers Park. This is why
Eleven-year-old Casandra Teres-Martinez was looking forward to watching “Luca” at Friday’s Sparklight Movie Night in Settlers Park. But the event was canceled amid concerns about “disruptive behavior” last week.
Meridian Parks and Recreation hosts free movie nights every Friday at dusk from June 10 to August 19. Last week was the first movie night of the season.
“General concerns centered around juveniles being loud with disruptive behavior and causing altercations,” said Meridian communications manager Stephany Galbreaith in a statement Thursday announcing the cancellation.
The statement said the city is working to create additional measures “to ensure a safe, family-friendly event” and would share any changes made in advance of next week’s movie night, which is scheduled for Friday, June 24. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed at these events, according to Galbreaith’s statement.
The Meridian Parks and Recreation website says anyone behaving disruptively at movie nights will be asked to leave the park immediately. If the individuals do not leave, they may be subject to a $50 trespassing citation from the Meridian Police Department.
Casandra attended last week’s movie night with her dad and friends.
“I went to the bathroom with my friends, and there were many teenagers crowded around the place where you can get some ice cream and the bathroom,” Casandra said by phone. “My dad said that he heard some chanting, ‘Fight, fight fight.’”
She added that she saw police officers at the event. She said she did not know whether any fights actually happened.
Meridian Police Department spokesperson Kelsey Johnston would not provide further details about what happened at last week’s movie night. She did not comment on whether there were concerns about canceling next week’s movie night.
“This is an ongoing situation,” Johnston said.
Galbreaith did not return the Statesman’s request for comment.
This story was originally published June 17, 2022 at 1:14 PM.
