After Lee’s Summit annoucned that due to a Tenn Takeover and the threat of violence in the future, they have decided that they would not continue the Downtown Days Celebration past 2026, are we truly surprised that the promoters of the much larger, much more attended Santa-Cali-Gon Days Celebration are not taking serious action? The problem is, the youth that would be involved in a Teen Takeover are NOT gointg to be detered by placing a Curfew on the event. Yes, there have been issues in the past, mainly at night and around the Carnival. But teh Teen Takeover in Lees Summit was during daylight hours, therefore, the establishment of a curfew would not have had any deterent on the criminal acts of these youth.
But in order to make the pulbic feel that it would be safe to attend Santa-Cali-Gon in 2026, the Promoters have to do somethiung. The question on everyone’s mind is … ‘what can be done?’ How about when these youth get out of line, catch as many of them as you can, and the prosecute them to the fullest extent of hte law. MAKE AN EXAMPLE of them, show the youth of this region that this is not going to be tolerated any longer. Criminals are becoming more and more blantant because there is little to no meaningful punishments for their action.
I have avoided Santa-Cali-Gon Days for hte past decade simply because of it’s problems with violence and criminal activities. The question now, as we are approaching Labor Day Weekend, will Santa-Cali-Gon go the way of Lee’s Summit’s Downtown Days? Canceled because they can’t control the criminals.
Taken from Kansas City’s Fox 4 Website
“The proposed curfew applies to minors under age 18 from the Thursday of Labor Day weekend through noon on Labor Day Monday.”
Sign of the times . . . Local municipalities step up precautions after local disasters and constant cable TV news fear . . .
The Independence City Council is scheduled to propose a curfew on Monday night for minors during the Santa-Cali-Gon Days festival.
The ordinance is intended to enhance public safety during the multi-day event.
The proposed curfew applies to minors under age 18 from the Thursday of Labor Day weekend through noon on Labor Day Monday.
The restricted festival district includes Noland Road, Pleasant Street, Farmer Street and Walnut Street. Under the proposed ordinance, minors would be prohibited from these areas during designated hours throughout the Labor Day holiday period.
Exceptions to the temporary curfew are provided for minors accompanied by a parent or guardian. The rules also do not apply to those running emergency errands, returning home from school or extracurricular activities or traveling home from work.
The proposal represents an enhancement of the curfew laws already in effect in Independence. Existing city regulations prevent minors from being out between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. from Sunday through Thursday.
On Fridays, Saturdays and the eves of holidays, the current curfew is set from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
The proposed ordinance follows the recent cancellation of Lee’s Summit Downtown Days, a nearby festival. That event was halted after multiple disturbances involving minors, including one incident where a firearm was recovered and another involving exposure to bear spray.
It is unclear if there is a direct connection between those disturbances and the specific proposal for the Santa-Cali-Gon Days curfew.
The Independence City Council is scheduled to consider the ordinance during its meeting on Monday.
