Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Dan Jansen Family Fest: The Problem

Reports of the disturbances at the Dan Jansen Family Fest have been sketchy at best.

Print and TV stories are very short on specifics.

Who was involved in the violence?

Greenfield NOW reports:

Greenfield police made about 40 arrests at Dan Jansen Family Fest over the Memorial Day weekend and things got so out of hand Sunday night that the festival was essentially shut down because the crowd had gotten out of control.

I'd like some information on the 40 people arrested.

How old were they?

What was the age range of those arrested?

It appears that catering to teens is not a good idea. Perhaps the music attracts a rough crowd.

Saturday: 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM Music Unlimited - Teen Night - Family Entertainment Tent

Sunday: 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM Music Unlimited - Teen Night - Family Entertainment Tent

What role did alcohol play in all of this?

It was a factor because police feared that CLOSING down the main beer tent on Sunday night would cause greater unrest.

It wasn't just teens who were causing trouble. Adults of legal drinking age were involved and a clear threat.

Did police really think these people were going to riot if beer was shut off?

It sounds like the situation was completely out of control.

This reminds me of the problems at RiverSplash last June. In that case, there was a shooting. Several gunshots were fired.

Nothing like that happened this year at the Dan Jansen Family Fest, but it's not a stretch to think that it could have happened, or might in the future.

Obviously, the problems stem from the festival-goers.

About two weeks ago, there were 26,000 people at the Summerfest grounds to see Danny Gokey.

Beer was available. No fights broke out. I don't think there were 40 arrests.

Why not?

The fact is the problem at Jansen Fest didn't stem from alcohol per se, or a large crowd per se, or teens per se.

The problem is the thug factor.

Why are media afraid to be specific and call out the individuals who are ruining a good thing?

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