An annual game played by high school seniors called “Assassin” has led to several complaints from residents. As a result, the Livingston Police Department urges caution for those playing the game, their parents, and the community at large.
The elimination-style game is played by Livingston High School seniors each year, and involves students “hunting” one another with water guns. The game continues all day long but is frequently played at night and can involve teenagers running away from cars and through yards to escape elimination.
This year’s game began on Monday, and the police department posted an alert on its Facebook page to make residents aware of it.
“You may see kids ducking and hiding carrying high powered water guns around town and in your neighborhoods during the day and night,” read the statement. “We want to be clear that we do not condone this game. Our officers have been on high alert responding on many calls of possible car thieves with some even entering houses. The last thing we want is a kid to be mistaken for a criminal.”
While the department does not condone the game, Police Chief Gary Marshuetz, Captain John Drumm, and C aptain Tom Smith said that they are aware that they cannot prevent students from playing it. As a result, they urge students who participate to use common sense, and ask that parents lay down some ground rules.
“We want them to be responsible and make smart decisions,” Chief Marshuetz said.
While the department has fielded calls from residents complaining about the game, there have never been any reported injuries in Livingston as a result of it in the decades that it has occurred.
“And we want to keep it that way,” Captain Drumm said. “Safety is our number one concern. So, please make sure you are not wearing full camouflage or dark colored clothing. Do not use a water gun that can be mistaken for a real gun.”
The department also asked participants to consider limiting play to daylight hours, and cautioned them not to hide around houses or cars.
“If you are approached by someone who is not playing the game, we recommend you place your water gun on the ground so that you don’t look threatening in any way to someone unfamiliar with the game,” Captain Smith said.
Chief Marshuetz also cautioned students to be careful around vehicles.
“If you are approaching any running vehicles, please make sure they are in park and never stand directly in front or behind a running vehicle. Please drive safely, as well,” he said. “And stay off any property where you are not invited; do not trespass. ”
Chief Marshuetz encouraged residents to continue to call the department with any issues, but asked callers to do their best to clearly differentiate what it is they are witnessing, as the response to a car theft is different from the response to trespassing high schoolers.
“As always, we appreciate our partnership with the residents, and encourage them to call us with any suspicious activity,” ChiefMarshuetz said. “When you call, please include a description of what you’re seeing, so we can tailor our response appropriately.”
On Monday, May 1, Livingston Public Schools superintendent Matthew Block and LHS principal Danielle Rosenzweig issued a joint statement regarding the game: “It has come to our attention that a trending game called Assassins has been organized among senior students at Livingston High School. This is a hide and seek style game with a goal of ‘shooting’ a targeted person/team with a water gun or other weapon-like object before being ‘killed’ yourself. In no way is this activity condoned by Livingston High School.
“While we understand there is no malicious intent, games such as this can get out of hand and people not involved can quickly misinterpret the intentions of those participating. Students at all hours of the day and night trespassing, hiding in neighbor’s bushes, or surprising people in their homes with water guns can create an unsafe environment. Given our nation’s current climate, we do not believe this is an appropriate activity for our students.
“In years past, thanks to the better judgment of its participants, Assassins has not been brought onto the grounds of Livingston High School. We want to reiterate that school conduct expectations remain in place throughout the school year. Bringing a water gun (or weapon look-a-like) to school, disruption of the learning environment, aggressive behavior and truancy have consequences for students, and they will be enforced.”
The statement concluded, “Parents, we ask that you please speak with your children about their potential participation in the Assassins game. Students, we ask that you think your actions through and make safe choices in the best interest of yourselves and our community.”
