'Security concerns' bring end to outdoor movie nights at Magnuson Park

SEATTLE -- A seven-year tradition at Magnuson Park is coming to an end -- at least for now.

Organizers have canceled the rest of the year's outdoor movie showings at the park, citing "security concerns" that have "evolved into public safety issues" at the park.

During last week's screenings, there were incidents in the park that required police officers to handle, said Doug Bornerman with Epic Events. He didn't specify the events, referring us to Seattle Police reports.

A Seattle Police spokesperson said he was unaware of any specific events at the park during the previous movie night and would check, but some parents have expressed concern on Facebook about recent muggings targeting teens during the event.

"Magnuson Park doesn’t seem like the best fit for our event any longer," Bornerman said. “It’s been a good home, but the current situation wasn’t the right fit.”

The cancellation left many people disappointed and frustrated.

"You could definitely tell the movie night was going on because when you come to practice, there would be nowhere to park. The entire parking lot was full," said Ben Gustasson, who is often at Magnuson for rugby practice and games. "When people are just trying to come out and do something as relaxing as watch a movie and then get mugged on your way out? It seems pretty unfortunate and pretty low."

The movies would run on Thursday nights in the summer and there had still been five more weeks on the schedule before the cancellation.

Bornerman says they do hope to continue "doing a fun, friendly, safe event in Seattle" in 2018 and just need to find the right venue, whether it returns to Magnuson Park or another city park.

"I was planning to come out to at least a few of them," said Amy Belete, as she lamented her missed chance, "because I've never been to an outdoor movie before."