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Tampa Police Deal With Fights At Park Kickball Game

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By HOWARD ALTMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 22, 2008

TAMPA - Another kickball game, another melee.

A city-sanctioned kickball game at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park on Wednesday night devolved into a brawl involving about 100 people, according to a police report.

This is the police version of what happened, according to the report:

About 7:30, a woman called 911 to say that about 100 players and spectators were fighting. When officers arrived, they saw a large crowd in the parking lot. The crowd was gathered around people who were fighting. Because people were being uncooperative, police had a difficult time getting to the fight.

When they finally reached the people who were fighting, police found several girls with ripped shirts. Hair weaves that had been pulled from the heads of combatants. Before police could make any arrests, the girls quickly blended into the large crowd.

No one was willing to identify who was fighting or offer any details.

As the crowd began to disperse, police advised the event organizer – who was not named in the report - that the game would have to end.

The organizer became vocal about her rights to have the game in the park and shouted obscenities at police.

Within minutes another fight broke out across the street involving the same people, who at this point had armed themselves with sticks. Again a crowd gathered and the officers had to force their way through the crowd. No victims or suspects could be located, so no arrests were made.

Kickball games have been a focal point for trouble at the park.

The problem: Hundreds of people congregate at the parks during the kickball games. The police department has heard complaints about trash in nearby yards, parking issues, drinking, drug abuse and fights.

On April 13, the city made nine drug arrests linked to the kickball games, police spokeswoman Andrea Davis said.

Stay with TBO.com for updates.

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