In Espoo, Finland, recent celebrations for the penkkarit event, traditionally a farewell festivity for graduating high school students, have drawn criticism from police due to reports of inappropriate behavior. Commissioner Hannu Kontola of the West Uusimaa Police Department expressed disapproval of the actions observed during this year's penkkarit, particularly focusing on incidents where students from Mattlidens Gymnasium were allegedly throwing eggs at their peers. Although he did not witness the events firsthand, he based his comments on videos circulating about the gathering.

Reports indicated that students not only engaged in the egg-throwing but also displayed obscene gestures, such as the middle finger, while possibly intoxicated. However, Commissioner Kontola clarified that police officers present at the scene did not observe these behaviors. This raises questions about the conduct of students during what should be a celebratory period, as it appears that despite the incidents reported, there were no formal complaints filed with the police regarding the penkkarit celebrations in Espoo.

This incident highlights ongoing concerns about the behavior of students during festivities and the responsibility of both the participants and the authorities to ensure a safe and respectful environment. Penkkarit is a cherished tradition in Finnish schools, and the negative coverage from the police may impact the perception of such events in the future, as communities reflect on how to foster celebratory occasions without crossing the line into misconduct.