A community swimming pool in Philadelphia was shut down just weeks after opening for the summer season after a slew of incidents culminated in chaos last week, according to reports.
McVeigh Recreation Center has been the scene of ongoing disturbances since opening on July 5, city officials say.
Things came to a head last Thursday when a group of young females attacked workers and then vandalized cars in the parking lot after being ejected.
The suspects were asked to leave the center after becoming unruly.
“Staff members repeatedly told the females that they were not allowed to continue swimming and that they would have to leave,” police explained in a press release.
“The females continued to refuse orders to exit the facility while sitting at the end of the pool taunting and threatening the staff. Subsequently, the staff shut down the pool, and all other occupants of the pool exited the pool without issue.”
The suspects were “swinging their fists and their hands” as they were forced out of the pool area, Fox 29 reports.
Once outside, the suspects then vandalized at least three vehicles in the parking lot, police say.
“Lifeguards had their cars keyed, windshield smashed, a motorcycle helmet stolen, etc. One 19yo just got a job there & his car is in pics,” local reporter Kristen Johanson wrote on social media.
“Five people, ranging in age from 17 to 63, suffered minor injuries in the incident, including leg and ankle pain,” WPVI reports.
During the melee, two male suspects entered the building and stole a bag belonging to a staff member.
It is unclear if the men were related to the female suspects.
“We’ve had other incidents that have happened at McVeigh. In the evenings when pool is closed – almost every night since the pool has been opened – people are breaking into the pool, jumping in the pool, vandalizing pool and pool equipment,” Kathryn Ott Lovell of Philadelphia Parks and Recreation told local media.
The pool was immediately drained and will reportedly remain closed through the end of the summer.
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