BUENA PARK, Calif. — While her husband works, Tiffany Parker of Yucaipa enjoys visiting Knott's Berry Farm with her children.

It's a place where she can watch her four children, ages 4 to 11, in a safe environment, have fun and enjoy themselves.

Parker had planned to visit Knott's Berry Farm on Friday. But she had to scrap those plans. 

Under Knott's Berry Farm's new chaperone policy, Parker would have needed to find another adult to go with her so they could take all four children.

"They are going about this the wrong way," said Parker via phone to Spectrum News Friday. "It's not fair and is discriminatory to single parents and families with more than three children."

The new policy, implemented Friday at Knott's Berry Farm and Knott's Soak City, states that teenage visitors ages 17 years or younger now must be accompanied by a chaperone who is at least 21 years old to get into the Buena Park theme parks. 

However, the chaperone can only accommodate three visitors ages 17 or younger, must remain with them at "all times," and be available by phone throughout the day.

It’s unclear how Knott’s will enforce the new policy, but officials clarified that teens and children found inside the park unaccompanied will get kicked out.

Parker is not alone in her frustration about the new policy.

Christine Koehring of Long Beach has five children ages 4 months to 9 years old. Koehring said she often takes them by herself to the theme park. 

Now she cannot — on Fridays and Saturdays — and the policy, as it stands, "takes away two prime days people can go."

"I understand the necessity of some kind of policy, but it's unfair and unrealistic for single parents with more than three kids and people with large families to do this," she said by phone. "There have to be some exceptions for families or understanding. We're a family of seven people and spent a lot of money on our passes."

After a group of rowdy teenagers forced Knott’s to shut down early last Saturday, July 16, a few days later Knott’s Berry Farm officials set forth a heavy-handed new policy to keep visitors safe while indirectly affecting large families. 

The policy is aimed at curbing the number of teenagers who often get dropped off unaccompanied, meet with friends, and sometimes start trouble at the theme park. 

"It is a growing, serious problem," said Brad R., who did not want to provide his full name since he works at a local theme park. 

Brad, who has worked in the theme park industry for the past decade, said many fights happen over line cutters and "mismanagement of queue lines."  

"Members of the same party will join others who are already in line 'saving a spot,' thus cutting others in line," he said. "When people wait so long in a line and see stuff like this happen, it causes problems. Of course, that's not the only reason for these fights, but I believe it's a main cause."

That exact situation happened earlier this week at Walt Disney World. According to reports, two families brawled it out at the Magic Kingdom over someone cutting in line. 

Brad said Knott's Berry Farm is not at fault in this situation. The new policy, he said, might be a way to ward off any potential lawsuits or liability from people caught in the crossfire of a fight. 

"I have seen Knott's trying to do better lately, but unfortunately, it wasn't enough," he said. "I think this chaperoning policy will help, but only time will tell."

He added other theme parks are watching the outcome. 

Sandra Espinosa of Ontario is a long-time Knott's Berry Farm season pass holder. Espinosa called the new policy "a step in the right direction."

"I think they decided to do something now because there were so many fights at Knott's all at once, and the teenage problem has been growing the last few months," said Espinosa. "[The fights] being so public also probably made them feel like they had to do something."

Espinosa said Knott's should hire more security. More security could prevent fights from not only teenagers but also adults. She's seen plenty of grown adults get into screaming arguments. 

Overall, though, she's glad the theme park is doing something. 

"This is a step in the right direction," she said. "I don't mind paying a little more for a safer experience." 

Knott's Berry Farm officials did not return a request for comment. A spokesperson told Spectrum News that they "will not be conducting any interviews at this time." 

Parker, the mom from Yucaipa, called the new policy a "Band-Aid" solution and could impact large school groups from attending.

She contacted guest relations and received a response stating that Knott's is "currently not creating a specific exception for larger families."

"Ratios of three minors to one adult might work for some, but what about larger families, schools, youth groups, and day camps?" said Parker. "So many of those struggle to find enough volunteers and enforcing a three to one ratio will be a huge challenge for them, too, thus pushing them away from visiting Knotts."

Parker said she understands why Knott's Berry Farm officials implemented the new policy. With everything going on in the country, safety is a priority. 

However, there should be some exceptions. The policy is too rigid. 

How will she accompany her 11 year old who wants to go on a roller coaster while also caring for her other younger siblings who are too small to ride?

"Usually, I just let her go in the line by herself, and I'll wait at the exit," said Parker. "Under this policy, I would have to be with her in line and at all times."

"I'm not asking for them to bend over backward for me," she said. "They need to help create a safe family environment. But this policy doesn't work for families. It poses a lot of challenges."