LIVONIA, Mich. – The Livonia Spree is happening this weekend, and along with rides, live entertainment, fireworks, and a lumberjack show, they’ve also added metal detectors and a strict curfew policy to ward off a potential teen takeover.
“The Spree is our annual birthday celebration of the city,” Kayleigh Reid, the Spree’s executive director, said on Friday. “This is our 54th year, and the city turned 76 this year.”
Reid, who is also the president of the Livonia City Council, has been organizing the massive carnival for the past four years.
“Right now, it’s 60-70-hour workweeks for me,” Reid said. “During the Spree, I’m here from 7 a.m. to midnight every day.”
When a flyer started circulating online earlier this week hyping a “Liviona Spree Takeover” with the city’s name misspelled and slated for Saturday afternoon, Reid was not having it.
“To be totally honest, I was very angry,” Reid said. “I love the Livonia Spree, I love Livonia.”
“This is my community; this is where I grew up,” Reid said. “For a group to have a plan to come and cause chaos, to make it unsafe for our community, I was very angry.”
The teen takeovers have become a big problem over the last couple of years, including multiple incidents recently in Detroit.
“We have zero tolerance,” Reid said. No, you cannot come in unless you have a parent with you, so you know it’s up to the parents. If they want their kids to have a nice, fun summer memory, they got to come with”
The Livonia Police made it especially clear that they are not having it either, posting on their Facebook page:
- “The Livonia Police Department is aware of several social media posts referencing a potential ‘Teen Takeover’ at the Livonia Spree this weekend. Everyone is aware of the history of past “Teen Takeovers” that have, many times, turned into mob-like disorderly, disruptive, or unlawful behavior. There will be zero tolerance, and everyone should expect enforcement action, including removal from the event, citation, or arrest, when appropriate. We look forward to a safe and successful Livonia Spree 76.”
During the Livonia Spree, a curfew has been placed in effect.
Anyone under 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian after 4 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
No fines will be issued for violations; however, teens in violation will be asked to leave.
“We have had, we’ve added almost $50,000 in additional security this year, so we’re ready for it,” Reid said. “The Spree is a summer tradition for most families in Livonia, and we’re not going to let it get shut down.”