I was wondering if, anybody was monitoring the Berrien Count

[garryd451]

I was wondering if, anybody was monitoring the Berrien Coutny Sheriff Department or the Michigan State Police Frequencies for Berrien County around 5pm Saturday?

According to WNDU-TV channel 16, a large fight broke out at the Blossomtime Festival in the St. Joseph-Benton Harbor Area and the Festival had to be closed. I was wondering if anybody, heard anything on their scanners about this.

I saw Channel 16's report about this fight on their webpage, I also looked at WSBT-TV Channel 22 South Bend, WSJV-TV Channel 28, Channel 3 Kalamazoo, and Channel 8 Grand Rapids, but none of them had anything on their webpage about this!




Posted: 05/07/2005 06:33 pm
Last Updated: 05/07/2005 11:10 pm

Story filed by NewsCenter16 Reporter
Kimberly Torres

St. Joseph, MI - The Blossomtime Festival in St. Joseph, Michigan turned sour early Saturday night after more than a 100 people got out of control at the carnival on Silver Beach.


Multiple fights ended the day
Police attempted to break up fights that had broken out amid the carnival crowd. Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey said, “We had as many as 75 in a circle with a few fights breaking out in between them. We would be able to move in and break it up, but then the group would run off and start fighting in another area of the carnival.”

Tina Rogers, a local resident who attended the carnival said, “I think it’s terrible. They complain about not having anything to do, then when they bring things here for them to do there’s always fighting and destroying everything for themselves. Then the children that want to enjoy it can’t.”


Deputy sent to hospital
While approximately six fights broke out in the first half hour of the carnival, a sheriff’s deputy was sent to the hospital after getting hit in the head with a water bottle. “After that occurred, it wasn’t safe enough to keep open for everyone’s safety, so I closed it down,” said Sheriff Bailey.

The sheriff’s deputy that was taken to the hospital was treated and released. Three teens were arrested. Two are back home, but scheduled to appear in juvenile court.

The third teen, who threw the bottle at the deputy, is being detained at the Berrien County Juvenile Center.

Lost revenue
Not only do the kids miss out on fun, but also a cancelled carnival means a $50,000 hit for carnival owner Doug Schmidt. “It can be a good weekend with good weather. It makes the rest of the summer tough and it’s hard to catch up,” said Schmidt


I am interested in anything You heard on your digital scanner abouth this incident.

Thanks,
Garry in Pokagon

 

[rtripp]

I didn't hear anything concerning this incident, but I did hear quite a bit later in the night on Benton Twp PD 460.200 and MPSCS H-EVENT 18 and 19 concerning a large gang fight in Benton Twp. About 100 people fighting around 2200, one MSP 54 unit mentioned it had calmed down quite a bit.

 

[garryd451]

blossomland

stay





Posted: 05/19/2005 04:07 pm

Story filed by NewsCenter16 Reporter
Stephanie Stang

Berrien County, MI - The debate is over. Carnival rides and games will be allowed at this year's Venetian Festival in St. Joseph.

But you'll also see quite a few more police officers.

Last week Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey recommended that carnivals be cut from this year's Venetian Festival.

The recommendation was made after violence at this month's Blossomtime Festival. The sheriff says that teens have a tendency to gather around the rides where fights are breaking out.

Thursday morning the Berrien County Commission, Parks Board and Sheriff made a compromise though with festival leaders.

Instead of cutting the carnival, 32 more police officers will be staffing the carnival area.

“There will be a significant policing division to deal with any potential problems during the 2005 Venetian Festival carnival,” said Randy Rood, Director of Berrien County Parks.

“We want everyone to come to Venetian and enjoy themselves let them know extra police officers out walking around for their safety and their protection,” said Bailey.

With the compromise, festival leaders say they are happy they won't be losing the $70,000 they usually make in the carnival area alone. But they are footing the bill for the extra police.

More news from Berrien County, MI