In response to a recent shooting incident nearby, The Dent Schoolhouse, a beloved Halloween haunt, has announced new security measures, including a mandatory chaperone policy for younger visitors, as reported by FOX19. Effective immediately, guests aged 15 and under will need to have a chaperone who is at least 21 years old, a requirement stemming from the event on Harrison Avenue, where gunshots led to a police callout and temporary closure of the attraction last Saturday.
According to a social media statement by The Dent Schoolhouse, which WCPO referenced, the chaperone must be present with a valid government ID. It may only accompany up to five minors. Children cannot roam the premises without their chaperone, and those found doing so may be ejected from the property. Broader concerns over a rise in disruptive behaviors across the entertainment sector influenced the institution's pivot.
Additional precautions include a security detail with a more significant police presence, as Green Township police officers were pressed into dispersing a group of "unruly juveniles and young adults" amid their investigation, which, according to FOX19, turned up several shell casings, though fortunately, no shooting victims.
Despite the chaos of the incident, The Dent Schoolhouse, which opened its doors on Friday the 13th for the Halloween season, plans to continue operations with these safety enhancements, ensuring guests that "producing a safe and fun show has always been our top priority at The Dent Schoolhouse," according to the attraction's social media message via WCPO news. With the chaperone policy implemented, all events will be subject to the new regulations, for which complimentary passes are provided for chaperones not desiring to partake in the haunted experiences themselves.
