Scream Town Reaches Settlement With Carver County, Will Reopen

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The owner of Scream Town says a settlement has been reached with Carver County and the Halloween attraction will open Friday evening as scheduled.

The county previously severed a contract with Scream Town after the owner, Matt Dunn, sent a private memo to employees calling for a "zero tolerance policy with Somalis."

Dunn later apologized for the note, calling it "poorly written."

The county says Dunn violated terms of the contract between the attraction and the Carver County Sheriff's Office. Scream Town had contracted with the County Sheriff's Office for grounds patrol, general security, traffic control, crowd control, and law enforcement.

On Friday, Dunn announced the settlement. He says there will be security out at the Chaska business and it will be a safe environment. It will open at 7 p.m.

The agreement requires Scream Town to hire its own private onsite security. The Carver County Sheriff's Office contract with Scream Town remains voided, but Carver County officials say they worked with Dunn and his representation to keep the business open through this season.

"Carver County does not tolerate discrimination from its employees or any businesses we work with, but we also understand that citizens want their government to be reasonable in their enforcement actions and this agreement allows for that," Carver County Administrator David Hemze said.