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Danvers board reviews Sky Zone safety steps after large January crowd
Summary
Select Board members heard from Sky Zone Danvers and the Police Chief about a Jan. 31 glow-night that drew 75–100 youths after a social-media post; Sky Zone described a set of safety changes and the town reported two arrests and mutual aid from neighboring departments.
The Danvers Select Board reviewed safety steps taken by Sky Zone Danvers after a Jan. 31 glow-night event that drew an unusually large crowd and led to a disturbance at the North Shore Mall.
Jen Abrams, general manager of Sky Zone Danvers, told the board that a social-media post unexpectedly drew a much larger teen turnout than usual, prompting rapid crowd movement and a number of perceived altercations. According to minutes, Sky Zone "issued safety announcements, engaged mall security and law enforcement, and ultimately closed early for precautionary reasons." Abrams described operational changes the park has made since the incident, including suspending glow nights, increasing lighting and management presence, limiting entry and re-entry, reinforcing behavior expectations, and coordinating directly with police.
The Police Chief reported that officers responding to the scene "found 75–100 youths gathered outside Sky Zone" and that mutual aid brought about 15 additional officers; two arrests were made during the response. Police officials said they subsequently increased patrols around Sky Zone on several weekends but were unable to staff a private detail for the park on some occasions.
Board members pressed the general manager on how glow nights operate, waiver and capacity controls, and what changes were put in place to reduce the chance of recurrence. Several members said they did not hold Sky Zone at fault given the apparent role of social-media activity and praised the company’s cooperation with law enforcement.
No formal action was recorded against Sky Zone at the April 21 meeting. The board underscored the importance of continued coordination between Sky Zone, mall security and police to protect guests, staff and the community going forward.
