'Water War' Worries In Simsbury

SIMSBURY, CT — Local police are working with Simsbury High School students to ensure that a senior tradition of water gun fights isn't mistaken for a real gun fight.

Given the sad nature of modern high school life in the country, where school shootings are constantly something to worry about, the Southington Police Department said Tuesday they're being proactive.

Simsbury PD School Resource Officer Trevor Brittel met with student coordinators of the event to discuss various community concerns associated with "Water Wars."

Basically, this end-of-year game, which started locally May 9 and continues through next week, has contestants looking to eliminate other contestants by squirting them with a water/squirt gun, according to the SPD.

"This is a non-school sponsored event," police wrote. "In fact, participants have been banned from competing on school grounds by order of the school."

Police said Brittel identified three concerns of his and asked the coordinator to relay them to participants:

• Safety, especially given the current gun/school violence climate when out in the public.

• Potential criminal consequences, namely avoiding public complaints of mischief that could lead to arrests.

• The dangerous operation of motor vehicles while playing "Water Wars."

According to the SPD, event organizers agreed to the terms and would remove any team from the game if their actions require police intervention.

Simsbury police said, in the past, the department has "received reports of suspicious person(s), trespassing complaints from homeowners and motor vehicle accidents as a result of the competition."

Police said they will take any complaints seriously and take all enforcement actions necessary should "Water Wars" get out of hand.

"The Simsbury Police Department and Simsbury High School have no affiliation with this event and do not condone this event," wrote the SPD.

Anyone seeing any suspicious activity is asked to call the Simsbury Police Department at 860-658-3100.

From April 25: 'Police Warn About Windsor Locks 'Water Assassins'

From April 28: 'Toy Gun Assaults Cause Fear In West Hartford Schools, Community'