CHESAPEAKE, Va. - A block party advertised as a family-friendly event quickly took a turn downhill on Saturday.
Norfolk residents Jamar Washington and Scotlyn Bailey say they were among the more than 100 people that paid between 20 and 25 dollars for the block party at Camelot Park advertised by promoter Dontreal Smith.
However, they say Smith did not deliver on what was promised.
"It just got plain crazy and ugly, people just started getting rowdy, they wanted their money back, it just wasn't a scene for the children anymore," says Bailey.
On his Facebook page, Smith advertised VH-1 star and tattoo artist, Dutchess Lattimore, as the host.
Dutchess showed up to the event late, which she later explained on her Facebook page, saying that Smith did not provide the transportation company he promised so her brother drove her. She left shortly after someone made a disrespectful comment.
Smith also advertised free tattoos, food, and drinks, which did not happen, according to participants.
He also advertised that proceeds would benefit the H.E.R Shelter, a non-profit agency that works with domestic violence survivors.
Brittany Landon, client services director, says Smith told them about the event, so they sent a representative. However, she says they were never sponsors and have not gotten any donations.
"It's frustrating that they would abuse that and try to use our name and sell tickets for this," she says.
Landon says they do not want the donations at all since so many people were mislead.
"The shelter actually helped me get up on my feet, especially the staff after you move out," says Bailey. "That was hard-earned money that I took out of my pocket thinking it was going to something good."
In a phone conversation, Smith told News 3 he is going to pay everyone back once he gets his money back from Dutchess, who he says breached their contract.
Bailey says Dutchess had every right to be mad, just like they do.
"It was a lot of great people that actually showed up and came out, it was a good turnout, it was just a bad situation."
