ABC
Big Gym Fight Has Police Hoping LA Fitness Beefs Up Security
by Kate Raddatz
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – While getting to the gym can be a challenge in itself this winter, members of the LA Fitness in Roseville have had more serious problems to deal with.
On Sunday, city police responded to a call involving 10-15 people fighting at the gym’s Cleveland Avenue location. It started all on the basketball court over a call and escalated, moving into the main fitness area.
“People were actually throwing two and a half, five, 10 pound weights within the building,” said Police Lt. Lorne Rosand.
This recent fight is just part of a bigger problem. Police say the gym has been plagued with crime in recent years.
Roseville police responded to 147 incidents there in 2013. They’ve already had 24 incident this year.
“It’s gotten to the point that [the gym] is bordering on a public nuisance,” Rosand said.
Police are frustrated with that LA Fitness as their requests to put in security cameras or have guards on site have all been denied. WCCO-TV reached out to that LA Fitness, but the gym had no comment.
“They don’t want to take any proactive measures to prevent theft in the parking lot or inside,” Rosand said.
Still, police are hoping some good will come out of the latest situation.
“I wouldn’t hope they would close,” Rosand said. “I just hope they step up like any business in the community.”
Police arrested three adults and three juveniles after Sunday’s brawl. The three adult suspects face charges of disorderly conduct and participation in a riot. One of them was taken to the Hennepin County Medical Center for a concussion, but he was released.
No one else was hurt.