Theater to institute parental escort policy

The Tinseltown Theater in Fayetteville will begin enforcing a “parental escort” policy as of Friday, May 20, according to a release by the Fayetteville Police Department.

The policy is in response to several incidents at the theater involving large groups of juveniles and an increase in criminal acts.

Fayetteville Police Chief Scott Pitts proposed the policy and Cinemark has agreed to help police combat the increased numbers of unescorted juveniles and the accompanying issues.

The policy states in part:

“On all Friday and Saturdays, all children and teens under 18 years of age who are at the Tinseltown theater after 6 p.m. must be under the supervision and control of a parent or guardian (21 or older), who must have visual contact with the child or teen. A parent or guardian may not escort more than six children or teens under the age of 18.

“After 6 p.m., unaccompanied children and teens under the age of 18 who are currently watching a movie will need to be picked up by or fall under the supervision of a parent or guardian (21 years of age or older). Youths under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian (21 years or older) to attend films starting after 6 p.m.”