Athens Police debuted stadium lighting, video cameras and heavy foot patrols in order to control the crowd at yesterday’s Palmerfest.
Mother Nature may have played the biggest role in keeping the party from turning riotous, though, as rain fell sporadically throughout most of the annual block party, which began around 10:30 a.m. and cleared out just before midnight.
Police credit the poor weather and increased police presence with making this year's fest, the 20th anniversary of the event, relatively "uneventful."
"A combination of inclement weather, increased officer presence and a significant messaging campaign can be attributed to the uneventful outcome of the day," said Ron Lucas, Athens' assistant service-safety director, in a statement released this morning.
Each of the last two annual Palmerfests had to be broken up after partiers stormed the street and lit couches, chairs and other porch furniture on fire.
But while the street remained clear and no fires were started this year, the number of people arrested topped 100.
Athens Police say they arrested 35 people in conjunction with to Palmerfest — including 13 Ohio University students — and the Ohio Department of Public Safety Investigative Unit made an additional 74 alcohol-related arrests.
Signs warning against having open containers and blocking the street were posted at various points on the block, and surveillance cameras were visible atop many streetlights. Once it got dark, Athens Public Works officials illuminated the street with large, temporary lights at both ends of the block.
Attendance at the block party was noticeably smaller than in previous years, and many bands and DJs began packing up at the first sign of rain, around 3 p.m.
Mounted officers began sweeping the street at around 4 p.m., and various city officials, including Mayor Paul Wiehl and Police Chief Tom Pyle, patrolled the street and sidewalks.
By 10 p.m., the crowd had significantly thinned as police continued to patrol the streets and rainfall increased. Police instructed some residents to move outdoor furniture indoors.
The party ended just before midnight when police, citing Athens’ noise ordinance, instructed the remaining houses to shut off their stereos.
Athens Police and the Ohio Investigative Unit arrested more than 60 people at Friday night’s Palmer Place fest, a precursor to Palmerfest held at the Palmer Place apartment complex on Kurtz Street.
