CLUB KISS Fights at teen dance club lead to several arrests

The promoter says he'll work with police to try to avoid future problems.
By IAN HILL
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
AUSTINTOWN -- Three Youngstown teens and a 12-year-old from Akron are facing charges after fights led to what police reports describe as "riot conditions" Sunday night at a teen dance at the former Mill club on South Raccoon Road.
Police charged Jeremiah McClarin, 18, of Winona Avenue, Youngstown, with felony aggravated rioting; Kiev Brown, 16, of East Boston Avenue, Youngstown, with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest; and Jarelle Blackshear, 17, of Falls Avenue, Youngstown, with disorderly conduct. Jamie Austin III, 12, of Akron was cited for violating curfew.
Police from Youngstown, Boardman, Canfield, Youngstown State University, Beaver Township, Poland, Milton Township, Mill Creek Park and Jackson Township, as well as Ohio State Highway Patrol officers and Mahoning County deputy sheriffs, were called to the club to assist Austintown police during the riot.
"There were a lot of fights everywhere," said Detective Sgt. Dan Kosco, who was working security at Sunday night's event. "Obviously it was too much for us."
Fighting hype
Police reports show the disturbance started when a fight broke out between four or five young people about 11 p.m. Sunday in the parking lot of the former Mill club, where promoters were holding the weekly Club Kiss teen dance. There were between 650 and 700 people in the parking lot at the time, reports state.
"The kids all run to see it; they all have to see it," said Club Kiss promoter Dominic Baragona, president of Mid-America Events. "That makes it look like its something more than it is."
Kosco said he wasn't sure what caused the first fight.
Those involved in the fight included Jarelle Blackshear, who was ordered to leave by police, reports state. Blackshear refused and was arrested, police said. Reports state that Blackshear also was listed as a runaway by Youngstown police.
Reports state that Kiev Brown then began swearing at police who tried to arrest him. He struggled and was sprayed with pepper spray, police said.
A second fight, involving 10 to 15 young people, then broke out. Reports state that the crowd was sprayed with pepper spray and ordered to stop fighting.
Jeremiah McClarin, however, ignored the order and punched another teen, reports state. He was arrested.
Jamie Austin III also was cited after the second fight, police said.
Reports state that police also are considering charging an 18-year-old Warren Avenue, Youngstown, man and his 16-year-old sister of the same address; they cursed at and directed racial slurs toward police.
Safety a priority
In the past, Baragona has stressed that security is his top priority, and that "our byword for everything is zero tolerance." He has said security typically includes seven police officers and seven bouncers from a private security company. Club co-managers Jeff Fleck and Tony Baragona, Dominic's brother, also are on hand to provide security.
About 600 teens typically have attended the events, Baragona said. He said he "beefed up" security Sunday after 900 teens came to the previous event. There were no problems at that event, he said.
Baragona said in the wake of Sunday's fights, he will work with police to determine how similar problems can be avoided in the future. He said he expects to discuss how to limit the number of young people who are let out of the club at one time when the event ends at 11 p.m.