PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The city decided to shut down a public pool in Kensington for the remainder of the summer after, officials say, a group of girls assault staff at the pool.
Police say It happened around 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the McVeigh Recreation Center pool. Staff members told the women to leave, but they did not comply.
Philadelphia Police Captain Matthew James said they continued taunting and threatening the staff.
“They weren't following the rules of the pool. That's originally what started the whole confrontation," James said. "There was some yelling back and forth and then I believe it escalated, obviously into a physical confrontation.”
The three women became hostile and followed staff inside, where they swung their arms at them before vandalizing a couple of cars parked outside, according to authorities.
Five employees were injured in the attack, including a 63 year-old woman. Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell said the woman worked in the department for over 30 years.
"She is an extraordinary individual," Lovell said. "She did say that [Thursday] was her hardest day at Parks and Rec.”
According to Lovell, this incident was the last straw in a string of events at the McVeigh pool, prompting them to make the difficult decision to close that facility.
“In the evenings, not every night but almost every night since the pool has been opened, we’ve had people jumping into the pool at night, vandalizing pool and pool equipment which has been a real challenge for us," Lovell said.
Staff at Scanlon Pool, less than a mile away, will extend hours there. McVeigh Recreation Center campers will be bussed to Scanlon for their swim lessons.
Lovell said they’ve had a few problems at McVeigh this year ever since the pool opened, with people sneaking in after hours to swim and vandalize the facility.
“Even after hours it’s our responsibility to make sure that people stay safe," Lovell said.
The victims complained about pain in different areas of their bodies due to the skirmish.
Police are now looking to speak with the three girls responsible for the assault.