Major Fight breaks out at Castle Park (Riverside, CA) on Valentine's Day

**Darkbeer** · 02-15-2005, 01:28 PM

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la...nes-california

Police quelled a melee involving about 200 youths at an amusement park Monday night and arrested several teens.

Four officers responded to a report at 6:15 p.m. of a racially motivated fight among several youths at Castle Park.

Lt. Mark McFall said the crowd turned on the officers and a full-scale fight broke out involving parkgoers. An additional three dozen officers rushed to the scene and dispersed the crowd by 8 p.m., police said.

http://www.amusementbusiness.com/amu..._id=1000800588

General manager Rolf Paegert said some of those who came to the park for a $5 unlimited ride promotion were looking for trouble. When a fight broke out, Riverside police were called in to assist, in accordance with the park's security plan.

“A small group of individuals came to the park that we normally don't have at the park and they were looking for trouble,” Paegert said. “They got into a scuffle. The Riverside Police Department responded and in the process they assaulted a police officer and that led to a much larger response as they take such things very seriously. They handled it professionally and in a timely manner and we opted to close the park at that time.”

**mamabot** · 02-15-2005, 01:34 PM

I was quite saddened by this news. We have only taken our kids there once, and it was four years ago. I do remember them having some really cool old school video games.

The management/owners of Catle park have a rough road ahead of them. I will stick with going to Disneyland.

**PirateMunkee** · 02-15-2005, 05:43 PM

I used to work at Castle and we never had problems like that then. I've seen a small gang fight break out at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk but never any problems at Castle. However, there are gang problems in that area so I guess it was just a matter of time.

***sir clinksalot*** · 02-15-2005, 05:49 PM

It doesn't have to do with the park. When you offer a deal when you can get in for $5 and you get too many people, problems ensue.

Just ask Knott's about their Power 106 nights.

**Soulquarian** · 02-15-2005, 06:58 PM

I was going to go there but decided on going to Knotts instead...

Where did the article say it was gang related? A racially motivated fight could involve anyone...

**PirateMunkee** · 02-15-2005, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by Soulquarian

I was going to go there but decided on going to Knotts instead...

Where did the article say it was gang related? A racially motivated fight could involve anyone...

It's Riverside. Odds are it was gang related. I moved from Riverside to Santa Cruz because of that very reason.

**Darkbeer** · 02-15-2005, 08:20 PM

I only posted a small portion of the news articles, due to "Fair Use" rules.... but there is indications that it MIGHT have been race related, since it was a sure thing, I decided to not use that portion of the article. The Amusement Business article talks about it, or you can check out the Press-Enterprise, which is the Riverside's local paper.

**coaster2** · 02-21-2005, 06:42 PM

The L.A. Times said there was only 3 security working when that fight happened, what a joke! It was a matter of time before this was to occur. Other amusement parks i've been to, you see security all over.

**Orcatime** · 02-22-2005, 12:24 AM

I remember going there when I was a kid. They had some of the best mini golf courses that I've ever been to. Including, better than Santa Cruz's. *ducks from Pirate Munkee*

**PirateMunkee** · 02-22-2005, 05:29 PM

Originally Posted by Orcatime

I remember going there when I was a kid. They had some of the best mini golf courses that I've ever been to. Including, better than Santa Cruz's. *ducks from Pirate Munkee*

Don't have to duck from me. I'm a Southern California Transplant and SoCal mini golf course shred over anything NorCal has to offer. The Pirate themed golf course at the Boardwalk is pretty week.