Heavy partying at an annual Jeep gathering held this weekend in Galveston led to local authorities arresting approximately 230 people.
Arrests were made by police May 18-21 for an array of misdemeanor offenses ranging from public drunkenness to disorderly conduct, according to CNN.
Also referred to as the “Go Topless” Jeep Weekend, the event on Crystal Beach is known for its rowdy atmosphere and excessive partying.
A video prepared by YouTuber Texas Young Guns shows footage that brings to mind the kind of partying seen during spring break or mardi gras.
Ray Nolen of the Galveston County sheriff’s office told reporters on Sunday, “This event is usually very taxing on our resources,” according to CNN.
Preparation began three months ago, and approximately 120 officers were assigned to cover the four-day event.
Despite being unofficial, Jeep Weekend is immensely popular and draws thousands of Jeep enthusiasts and non-fans alike to the Bolivar Peninsula each year.
Yet the often rambunctious partying has taken some deadly turns. One death was reported in 2019 and again in 2021, while two people were shot in 2020.
In 2022, sheriff’s deputy Sergeant John Hamm was hit by a vehicle while directing traffic, according to ABC 13. Both of his legs and one of his arms were broken in the accident. The driver, 22-year-old Darius Gilbert, was charged with aggravated assault on a peace officer with a deadly weapon.
This year no casualties were reported at Jeep Weekend, but Nolen said that approximately 40 people were hospitalized for various minor injuries, according to CNN.
The sheriff’s office also reported that two people were critically injured, according to ABC 13. One woman was hurt falling out of a vehicle, and another person is said to have sustained gunshot wounds that might be connected to another report of an armed robbery.
The up to 50% uptick in arrests compared to previous years likely speaks to the heavier police presence at the latest Jeep Weekend.
“We’re just trying to maintain order and keep everybody safe,” Nolen told reporters, according to CNN.
As The Dallas Express reported, rowdy crowds flooding beach destinations during spring break this year led to some outbreaks of violence despite heavy police presence. In Miami Beach, two fatal shootings drove Mayor Dan Gelber to declare a city-wide curfew to better ensure public safety.
While some localities experience punctual rises in violent crime, Dallas has found itself in an enduring wave of it.
For instance, the same weekend of the Jeep event in Galveston saw several homicides committed in Dallas, as The Dallas Express covered in the latest installment of its Weekend Crime Report.