January 28, 2024 – The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind parents and citizens of the annual “Water Wars” event that often takes place around this time of year.

Water Wars is a competition, consisting of mainly high school students — primarily seniors – where they plot and go after other high school students with water guns. It has increased in popularity nationally over the last few years. This competition is not a school-sponsored event.

The competition consists of several rules. Players can only go after other players during certain circumstances, such as coming and going from school or work. Because the players are out in the community during their game, citizens see teens hiding in bushes, parking lots and other places, then become understandably concerned about public safety. This becomes an extreme problem when concerned residents call in their sightings and officers respond to these calls for service.

Another major issue with this game is the water guns often used by the players. With the sophisticated development of water guns over the years, we strongly encourage all parents to speak with their children about the dangers of possessing anything that even remotely resembles a real firearm. Since 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.

We ask that all parents whose children engage in this game to please ensure that their children’s water guns appear obviously fake so there is no confusion between their water gun and what could be mistaken as a real firearm.

If you are worried about something you see or hear, please report it to us so we can continue to keep our community safe.

Source & photo: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office