MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio — Police departments in Mayfield Heights and Lyndhurst dealt with a series of incidents involving juveniles at Saint Clare Community Days this past weekend.
According to Lyndhurst Police Chief Patrick Rhode, the problems began at approximately 7:40 p.m. on Saturday when officers "were made aware of a young patron attending the festival that was believed to be armed with a gun."
Rhode says Lyndhurst officers approached three juvenile suspects after noticing one had an "unusual bulge" in his front pocket. While two of the suspects fled from police on foot, officers did recover "a handgun with an extended magazine fitted with an automatic switch, a ski mask, and a cell phone in the 1300 block of Croyden Road."
Police detained one of the suspects at the scene, according to Rhode. He was found to be carrying an unloaded 9mm magazine and a black rubber handgun grip in his backpack.
No charges have been filed as of yet. No injuries were reported.
Following the weapons incident involving Lyndhurst police, Mayfield Heights Police Chief Anthony Mele reports that hundreds of juveniles descended on the festival area in Lyndhurst near the border with Mayfield Heights. Reports of fights soon began pouring in, and several nearby businesses such as Papa John's, Dairy Queen, Raising Cane's and Sheetz were forced to close for safety reasons.
"We had nine officers working the road on Saturday night and we could have used at least another 12," Mele said. "The officers that were working did an outstanding job under difficult circumstances."
“It’s heartbreaking. It’s scary and it’s sad that kids have that much hate in their hearts for each other,” Tomeka Rose said. “Parents need to be aware of what their kids are doing or where they’re at or how they’re acting when they’re in public.”
Rose said her family has been going to the festival for years. Her 15-year-old daughter planned to go Saturday night but was turned away. Not long after she says a group of girls ambushed her daughter nearby. She provided cell phone footage that shows the brutal attack.
“I cry a little bit every time I talk about it. Every time I watch the videos it’s heartbreaking,” Rose said. “Let’s be kind to each other. Like it makes no sense to go somewhere just to hurt somebody intentionally.”
Rose’s daughter ended up in the emergency room with a concussion, bruising and swelling on her face.
Per Mele, 10 minors are currently facing charges in Mayfield Heights. The chief additionally took the opportunity to vent his frustrations about the event itself, calling the festival a breeding ground for crime and misbehavior.
"I think these church festivals are a thing of the past," he wrote. "They've become a gather place for unruly juvenile behavior. The money generated by the churches is not worth risking the safety of the public."
Saint Clare has held its Community Days gathering for years, with the parish actually celebrating its 80th anniversary this past weekend. The festival features food, games, live music, vintage car rides, and even an in-house casino.
3News has reached out to Saint Clare for comment on the situation. The Diocese of Cleveland said:
"While what occurred at the St. Clare festival is extremely unfortunate, individual parishes will determine what makes sense in their communities from a fundraising and safety perspective. We encourage parishes who are holding summer festivals to work with their local police departments and to take all possible steps to provide secure environments for their festival attendees."
Meanwhile, the impacts are already being felt at other church events around Greater Cleveland, with Gates Mills Police Chief Gregg Minichello telling WKYC that St. Francis of Assisi will close its upcoming festival early at 9 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday this weekend. The Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office and Mayfield Heights Police Department will also be providing additional law enforcement personnel, while backpacks will be searched and patrons will not be allowed to wear face masks.