SANDUSKY, Ohio — Changes are coming to how safety and security will be handled inside Cedar Point.
In a joint statement, the amusement park and Sandusky officials announced that the city's police department will now assume all law enforcement responsibilities inside Cedar Point.
The change comes after a 3News Investigates series examined 27 reports of sexual assault filed with Sandusky police since 2017. The cases involve women who worked and lived in the Cedar Park dorms, where the offenses occurred. It's unclear if more incidents took place because Cedar Point's own state-certified police department refused to release any reports.
The joint statement says the policing authorities of the Cedar Point Police Department will be fully transitioned into the Sandusky Police Department’s operation, and the Cedar Point Police Department will focus solely on security operations at Cedar Point and its local affiliated properties. Conversely, the Sandusky Police Department will assume all policing responsibilities for Cedar Point and its affiliated properties. That will include employee dorms.
3News Investigates partnered with TEGNA sister stations WTOL in Toledo and WBNS in Columbus to produce the series, which included exclusive interviews with three women, all former employees who say they were sexually assaulted.
Cedar Point has refused all requests to discuss the allegations made by former workers, who say the park allows its employee dorms to operate with loose supervision, creating a culture of drug and alcohol use that leads to sexual misconduct.
In addition, former HR workers have told 3News Investigates that the park suspended its background checks on new hires in 2021 to quickly hire 6,500 workers needed for the summer season.
Those actions have fueled outrage and calls for change from lawmakers such as Sen. Sherrod Brown and Gov. Mike DeWine.
Previous Reporting from 3News Investigates:
- 3News Investigates: Cedar Point worker told rape 'was my fault'
- 3News Investigates: Former recruiters say Cedar Point ignored background check delays during 2021 hiring binge
- 3News Investigates: Series examines sexual assaults reported at Cedar Point worker dorms
- 3News Investigates: Cedar Point sexual assault reports called 'horrifying' and 'disturbing'