Violent Night At Mesquite's Christmas At The Park Brings Criticism To City Leaders

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MESQUITE (CBS11) – Mesquite Mayor Stan Pickett made an emotional statement to constituents at Monday night's city council meeting when he addressed the violent disruption that tainted their annual holiday tradition, Christmas at the Park.

Mayor Pickett said, "It's not right. We don't accept it. We are going to continue to work to make it right. Our citizens deserve that we make it right."

This the second year in a row that the festivities have been disrupted by fights.

The mayor and city council have come under heavy criticism from community members who have called into question city leaders' ability to have a safe holiday event.

Hector Barboza lives in Mesquite and showed up to Monday nights meeting to hear the mayor speak.

Barboza said, "for something like this to happen a second year that's unheard of and that's crazy and that seems like it's starting to become a growing trend."

Mayor Pickett assured those in attendance that they will do everything they can to mitigate any dangerous situations at the event in the future.

He added, "We are going to do this event again. We are going to do it for our citizens and we are going to make it right."

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