Full Notification

 
The Simi Valley Police Department would like to remind parents and citizens of the annual “Water Wars” event that often take place around this time of year. 
 
“Water Wars” is a competition, consisting of mainly High School age students (primarily seniors), in which they plot and go after other High school students with water guns.  This competition is not a school sponsored event and has increased in popularity nationwide over the course of the past few years.
 
The competition consists of several rules; and “competitors” can only go after other “competitors” during certain circumstances, such as coming and going from school, work, etc.   This can be extremely concerning to citizens that witness such actions, such as people hiding in bushes, parking lots, etc.
 
With the sophisticated development of water guns over the years, we would like to encourage all parents to speak with their children about the dangers of possessing anything that resembles (even remotely close) to a real firearm.  Based on the fact that these water guns are typically gas propelled, they can be sold without the universal orange tips, which typically indicate that the water guns are fake. 
 
This can be extremely problematic in regards to residents witnessing the actions and for Officers responding to “calls for service.”
 
The Simi Valley Police Department would like to encourage all parents whose children engage in this game to ensure that their child’s water guns appear obviously fake so there is no confusion between their water gun and what could be mistaken as a real firearm.
 
Attached are examples of the type of water guns that are currently being sold and used during this game.     
 
The Simi Valley Police Department still encourages its residents to continue to, “See Something, Say Something” mentality, which continues to keep our City safe.