The Paris Police Department is aware of groups of teens participating in recent planned fighting activities at several locations in the city, including some city parks.
Information received also indicates that additional gatherings are being planned.
The department is reaching out to notify teens and their parents that these gatherings will not be tolerated in the City of Paris, and participants are subject to criminal prosecution.
The police department is increasing patrols in areas where recent fights have occurred or where tips indicate future fights may occur.
Using additional manpower, facial recognition tools, and assistance from local schools, the department will work to identify anyone involved in past or future incidents.
A person does not have to physically participate in these planned fights to be charged with a crime.
A person can violate the Texas Penal Code for Disorderly Conduct in several ways.
Using abusive, indecent, profane, or vulgar language in a public place, and the language by its very utterance tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace, or fighting with another person in a public place are two examples.
Any participant caught on-site or positively identified in surveillance video or by other methods is subject to criminal charges and fines.
Parents are encouraged to discuss these organized fights with their children and discourage participation or attendance.
