Warning Given To Parents Year After Douglasville Mall Brawl

DOUGLASVILLE, GA — Ahead of National Cinema Day Sunday, Douglasville Police are sending a message to parents about their children's behavior while at Regal Cinemas at Arbor Place Mall.

The Second Annual National Cinema Day will feature $4 admission tickets for all movies and showtimes. IMAX and 3D movies are included.

Last year's National Cinema Day, when movies costed $3, resulted in several fights between youths. Douglasville Police Chief Dr. Gary Sparks surmised fake fights being recorded for TikTok somehow turned into real fights.

Ultimately, the mall closed early, and an adult and 19 juveniles were arrested on charges such as disorderly conduct, affray and simple battery. Nine people were charged on suspicion of violating the Georgia Street Gang and Terrorism Prevent Act.

"We will be out to ensure that the youth are safe when they go to the movies and we will equally ensure that mall patrons and all citizens are safe," Sparks said in a news release. "I'm going to make sure the city is safe."

While police will work to safeguard moviegoers at Regal Cinema, Sparks asked parents to do their part in maintaining safety.

He added police and the city fire marshal have spoken with Regal personnel and mall security, but he had a message for parents who he said drops off their children unaccompanied at the mall.

"Don't let the mall's movies raise your child. When they get out of your presence, they might do things that will come back and embarrass you," Sparks said.

" ... Even if your child is good while you're around, it doesn't guarantee they won't join in activities that could get them hurt or arrested when they're with their friends."

He noted to parents that it is OK to tell children, "No." After all, he said, "No" is the "most powerful word in our vocabulary."