PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The City of Pickerington announced changes at its community pool after a group of unruly teenagers prompted a police response on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, Katrina Johnson took her kids to the Pickerington Community Pool where she said dozens of teenagers were fighting and cursing.
“There were no adults with them. There was a group of, I'd say between 40-50 teenagers. They ended up calling the police. There were four cop cars. We ended up leaving because my kids are too little to have here and be worried about something happening,” she said.
Johnson said lifeguards and staff warned the teens and tried to get them to behave, but it didn't work.
“There were just a lot of teenagers that were being really rough. They were using vulgar language. They were not looking out for the little kids,” she said.
In response, the city implemented changes that it hopes solves issues such as fighting, aggression toward other patrons and profanity.
Day passes will only be available for purchase to adults 21 and older and proof of residency within the Pickerington Local School District is required. Each day pass buyer can purchase two additional passes, but that person must stay at the pool with the guests the entire time.
There will also be an added police presence and officers patrolling the pool deck.
“They had to call the officers out here but they made a point to have the ones who were being rough leave. I felt very comfortable bringing them back,” Katrina said.
The city says there is zero tolerance for violations of the posted rules.
"The safety of our pool staff, season pass holders and guests will always be our top priority and we feel these changes are necessary in response to recent behavior-related incidents," the city said in a Facebook post.