Movie Theater Policy: No Parents, No Admission

Burleson theater bans teens in crackdown on rowdy behavior

A Burleson movie theater is taking aim at rowdy teenagers with a new policy on weekend nights that bans anyone younger than 17 without their parents.

Hollywood Theaters put up signs announcing the “family night policy.” Nobody younger than 17 is allowed inside after 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday without a parent or legal guardian.

The move comes after complaints of rowdy behavior, a theater employee said. Some teenagers got in a fight last weekend, and police had to be called. Other teenagers recently assaulted an older couple.

Reaction to the policy is mixed.

Some parents complained they would have to change plans.

"I'm about to drop off her to be with some friends tonight, so I guess that might put a cramp in things,” said Maggie Manning, whose daughter, Cheyenne, is 11 years old. "I don't see there's a problem as long as they drop them off here and see them walk in and walk out."

Other patrons applauded the move.

"I've been in this area at night before, and there's always kids walking around out here,” said Clayton Day, who was seeing a movie with his wife, daughter and two nieces. “You never know (what will happen).”

Another mother said she has no problem with the new rules.

“The more parents, the better,” she said. “The more supervision, the better. That’s my motto.”

Teenagers say the new policy will discriminate against young people who are well-behaved and don’t cause trouble.

“I think it’s dumb,” said Kelsey Pohoreske, who turned 17 on Friday.

“It’ll make me go spend money other places,” said her 16-year-old friend, Breanna Borgerding.

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