The Dan Jansen Family Fest hasn't offered a very family-friendly atmosphere this year.
From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Dan Jensen Family Fest, a major community festival named in honor of the Greenfield's hometown Olympic hero, had to be shut down by police Sunday night after a series of fights on the grounds and nearby neighborhoods that resulted in 20 arrests.
From Greenfield NOW:
According to a press release from Greenfield police:
While responding to that call, other officers were summoned to the Family Tent for reports of several fights breaking out. One officer was punched in the face by an 18-year-old Milwaukee man who had to be subdued with a Taser.
As officers attempted to break up fights in both tents, members of the crowd became more unruly, causing the officers to fear for their safety. A total of 10 squads from the Franklin and Greendale police departments were called to provide backup to the more than 20 Greenfield officers on the scene.
Police ordered the immediate closing of the midway and family tent but did not shut down the beer tent because of fear that the large crowd would become even more unruly if The main beer tent was not shut down due fears of unrest from the large crowd.
Good grief!
The police feared closing the main beer tent due to fears of unrest?
It seems odd the police ordered the closing of the "family tent" but not the beer tent. I guess the "family tent" wasn't exactly a family-oriented place.
Things must have been extremely out of control if police were afraid to cut off the flow of beer.
I would think that would be their first action to gain control, stop the alcohol.
After the closing of the midway and family tent, the rowdiness spilled over into the surrounding neighborhoods and resulted in several arrests for disorderly conduct and fighting.
In addition to the arrests made on Sunday, police responded to numerous other calls over the course of the four-day festival. Eleven arrests were made Friday and nine arrests were made Saturday.
It's really a shame that thugs have ruined a festival meant to appeal to families.
This doesn't bode well for the future of the Dan Jansen Family Fest. Some major changes need to be made if it's going to survive.
I would suggest that no alcohol be served, or none served after 6:00 PM.
Another suggestion: The festival should not try to attract teens.
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
Obviously, catering to that crowd is a problem.
Something needs to be done to discourage the attendance of thugs.
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Video.
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Related post: Dan Jansen Family Fest: The Problem
5 comments:
Who were the troublemakers? Neighbor hood people? Gang member types? Minorities?
The accounts I cited didn't say.
I'd like to know and intend to follow up. Hopefully, the media are giving more details.
I find the question online at Craig's list and other forums but NO ANSWER. Nor did the news have any video. I don't know any cops or festival goers that were there or I'd ask them.
Many people are wondering if like Riverfest last year gang members that never used to frequent Greenfield festivals showed up.
Or if it was the type of unruly black youths that inevitably ruin festivals on the north side/central city.
Not being racist here. It is well documented that the Milwaukee police have problems after EVERY central city/north side minority festival.
Greek fest had to move off their own grounds with the Frank Lloyd Wright building that brought in tour money to celebrate. Sherman Fest had to be canceled after many attempts to solve the riot problem.
Juneteeth last year they felt the need to put officers stationed on top of buildings for security because of serious problems in every past Juneteeth festival.
Local news archives have plenty of video evidence of the many, many festival near riots and near-riots from the few minority thugs that ruin the north side/central city celebrations over and over every year.
WHY suddenly one at GREENFIELD? The community residents are historically peaceful and safe, even when hoards of crowds gather together. The only danger used to be getting crushed while the hungy/thirsty residents rush for beer, corn, and brats.
As a Greenfield resident who is glad to see the festival each year, this year didn't give off the same feeling. We live across the street and witness first hand the parking situation, the young crowds after hours walking, doing things to people cars, swearing, fighting, running through yards and this year the fight that lead to 6 police cars on our street.
I noticed the volunteer staff serving what looked to me to be underage drinker, who didn't even have enough money to pay for the beer and several young people in the music tent on Sunday that shouldn't have been in there at all.
That entire area should be closed off to anyone under 21 and a wrist band sold to those who are to enter and drink.
In the 9 years I've lived in Greenfield, not once have I been asked to volunteer, or help out for that festival. It seems that the police and "volunteer" staff cannot do it alone, so why not reach out the the Greenfield community? I'm sure there are many people who would like the so called "family fest" to remain, and if it means stepping in to help out, then so be it.
Much of this could have been avoided had it been thought out more. These 40 arrests just caused us tax payers more money.
It's sad that the thugs succeeded in getting the festival closed down this year.
If the festival organizers plan on having the event in 2010, they're going to have to assure people that security is improved and there won't be a repeat of what happened this year.
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