Chaperone policy reinstated at Six Flags Great America and Hurricane Harbor Chicago
A chaperone policy is being reactivated beginning Thursday at Six Flags Great America and Hurricane Harbor in Gurnee.
Visitors 15 years old and younger must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or adult chaperone who is at least 21 years old, the company announced on its Instagram account.
The policy will be in effect all day Thursday through Sunday. On all days following, it will begin at 5 p.m. until the park closes. It applies to single-day ticket and season pass holders and members.
No reason was given for reactivating the policy and Gurnee police said it was the park’s decision. Six Flags enacted a similar policy last fall for its annual Fright Fest, preventing those 15 and under from entering or being in the park after 5 p.m. without a chaperone at least 21.
A Six Flags spokesperson told ABC 7 at the time the rule was introduced as an added safety measure and being implemented at its parks across the country. A spokesperson Tuesday said all information on the policy could be found on the park website but did not elaborate.
The reinstatement comes less than two weeks after Gurnee police responded to a report of shots fired in the Six Flags parking lot. Police said there were no known victims in the July 7 incident, but officers found evidence confirming a shooting had occurred.
Gurnee police Detective Shawn Gaylor said an investigation is ongoing and the department hopes to provide an update by next week or the week after.
The shooting appears to be an isolated situation involving two individuals, she added.
“So far this season, we have not seen an increase in incidents requiring police response,” Gaylor said. “This type of situation is not typical for our parks and we want to reassure the public that the areas remains safe for residents and visitors.”
Gurnee police have a standing partnership with Six Flags regarding the safety of visitors and staff within the park that includes a substation on the property, she added, and an officer at the park every day it’s open.
On an average day, there may be as many as five officers patrolling the park and parking lot, Gaylor said.
Gurnee Mayor Tom Hood said he does not have concerns regarding youths at the theme park.
“The village has been pleased with how Six Flags handles safety in partnership with the Gurnee Police Department,” he said.
The policy taking effect Thursday states chaperones must present a valid government-issued photo ID with date of birth at entry. Each chaperone can accompany no more than 10 park guests 15 or younger per day.
Chaperones must accompany the minors during entry and remain inside the park for the duration of the visit and reachable by phone at all times. Unaccompanied visitors 15 and under can be removed, according to Six Flags.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Six Flags’ Facebook update on the chaperone policy drew 468 comments and 452 shares. Some commenters said the age of visitors requiring supervision should be higher than 15 and that chaperones should be required to stay with their charges.