Oro Medonte World Fair stopped due to youth fighting

Members of the Barrie OPP were patrolling the OroMedonte World Fair when fair staff requested over the loud speaker for OPP to attend a fight that broke out near the bleachers on September 16th at approximately 12:15 am.

Police arrived on scene and broke up numerous fights within a crowd of over 100 youth. As officers were arresting the male offenders, the crowd began to swarm the officers.

The crowd were using profane language at the officers, refusing to back away from the area and enticing the offenders to continue fighting. Subsequently, an officer sprayed several of the youth with pepper spray as it became unsafe for the officers and those being arrested.

Due to the altitude of the crowd and the number of fights, several officers were requested to attend the scene. Many of the youth in the crowd were under age and had been drinking.

A 17 year old from Barrie, a 17 year old from Midhurst, 18 year old from Coldwater and a 23 year old from Barrie have all been charged with one count of Cause Disturbance and one count of Obstruct Police.

The two adult males are scheduled to appear before a Barrie court October 30th. The two young offenders are scheduled to appear before a Barrie court on October 31st.