Following recent safety concerns, Six Flags Great America has announced the return of a chaperone policy for its Gurnee location, as reported by CBS News Chicago. Beginning this Thursday, minors aged 15 and under will be required to be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or responsible adult at least 21 years old. This decision follows the incidents of violence that have recently darkened the space designated for thrills and laughter.
The policy will be stringently applied throughout the entire day from July 17th to July 20th; after those dates, the chaperone requirement takes effect in the evenings, starting at 5 p.m., a chaperone with a government-issued photo ID must be present with no more than ten young guests at any given time, according to WGN-TV. Older guests, those 16 and up, will also need to carry identification, or they may face denied entry, while any minor without an appropriate chaperone during enforcement hours will be removed.
In a communication to park-goers, Six Flags underscored the importance of adult supervision: "Parents or guardians are responsible for the behavior of their minor children. Appropriate behavior and supervision are the responsibility of the parent/guardian and is always expected," as per guidance from the park acquired by CBS News Chicago. The reimplementation serves as a sobering remembrance that the venue, enshrined in the happiness of families and friends, is not untouched by the world's afflictions. Only last week, shots rang out in the parking lot of the amusement facility, yanking us back to less pleasant realities.
This isn't the park's first encounter with such disturbances; nearly three summers ago, two individuals—a 17-year-old boy and a 19-year-old woman—suffered injuries in a shooting that took place within the same lots of this supposed haven for jubilation and escape, this previous event, coupled with the latest security breach, has undoubtedly influenced Six Flags' choice to tighten curbs and guideposts for its younger guests
