Posted on May 31, 2013

Westland Considers Carnival Ban Due to Recent Violence

Sandra Ali, Click on Detroit, May 30, 2013

Leaders in the city of Westland are considering a ban on carnival-like events after violence has broken out at recent similar events across Metro Detroit.

A fight erupted this past weekend reportedly between two rival gangs at the popular Saint Mary’s Polish Country Fair in Orchard Lake. It was a similar scenario to what happened at a carnival in Westland two weeks ago.

“It seems that every community has the same issue. Carnivals come to town, we think there are little gangs that are setting up turf wars,” said Westland City Councilman Bill Johnson.

Police say more than 100 teenagers–mostly boys–started a fight during the Westland Firefighters Charity Fund Carnival. It happened in a shopping center parking lot where the violence got so out of hand that it spilled over to neighboring businesses.

That’s why Johnson is working with the city attorney to ban local carnivals.

“I really think it’s going to happen because it’s not for the kids anymore. Parents won’t send their kids. It’s just not safe,” Johnson said.

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[Editor’s Note: Prior to the St. Mary’s parade, a 16-year-old black boy was arrested and charged with domestic terrorism after making several social media postings of himself with guns. One had the caption: “We can’t wait till st.marys fair”.]