WILMINGTON -- The Azalea Festival is the biggest event in the Port City, attracting hundreds of thousands of people each year.
Area law enforcement is beefing up security to keep the crowds in check.
It's the start of some very busy days for area law enforcement.
Wilmington Police Department Capt. Marshall Williamson said, "The plan of action is in place for a large event, such as the Azalea Festival."
Capt. Williamson says officers will be flooding the streets for the Azalea Festival.
More than 100,000 people are expected to attend azalea events, so the WPD is tightening security to keep the peace.
But they're not the only ones on patrol.
New Hanover County Sheriff Sid Causey said, "Our traffic units will be stepping up patrols, looking for impaired drivers. We're doing some escorts for the festival and we've got some plain-clothed people at some other events."
New Hanover County Sheriff's deputies will also be scouting the scene. It's a joint effort that authorities hope will be useful to keep the community safe.
"We're kind of working together, pulling together," Sheriff Causey said. "So far, we've been able to get through 59 of these. I understand this is number 60, so hopefully we won't have a lot of problems with people."
In total nearly 500 law enforcement officials -- about 250 Sheriff's deputies and more than 200 officers -- will be on hand at the Azalea Festival.
They're urging people to play it safe for the next few days.
"Just go to an officer if a child's been lost. Hang on to your valuables, pocketbooks, or anything of that nature and watch the amount of alcohol you consume," Sheriff Causey said.
Authorities add you should be patient at azalea events, drive carefully and most of all, enjoy the festivities!
Additional law enforcement will lend a hand. Officials say about 16 Highway Patrol troopers will be scouting roadways throughout the county.
Problems?
Sheriff Causey, I hope we don't have a lot of problems with your people. 500 armed individuals(or your 250)living outside of social norms is something to fear. Still in oversite by the Federal Marshalls for the unsolved violent crime rate over the past couple decades???
festival
i hope the cops just let people have fun.sometimes they seem to be just looking to arrest someone.there are plenty of drug dealers standing on our corners,arrest them.
No alcohol
Why is beer served at the festival? We do not attend because of that reason. Seen too many drunks down there. Wonder how many ppl do not go because of the same reason? Guess the event organizers figure that ppl wont come if there is no beer....... who wants that type of patron? You should do a poll and ask about the alcohol keeping people away.
Alcohol
Without a drunken stupor to disguise the ridiculous prices of everything down there, I wouldn't go.
BEER is living PROOF that
BEER is living PROOF that GOD LOVES us and wants us to be HAPPY.
Benjamin Franklin
He also said
He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.
Ben was an alcoholic.
Ben Franklin
How dare you disparage this American patriarch. Go find yourself another country. They don't allow alcohol in Saudi Arabia.
1.The Puritans loaded more beer than water onto the Mayflower before they cast off for the New World.
2.While there wasn't any cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, or pumpkin pie to eat at the first Thanksgiving, there was beer, brandy, gin, and wine to drink. 1.1
3.A brewery was one of Harvard College's first construction projects so that a steady supply of beer could be served in the student dining halls.
4.Tavern owners enjoyed higher social status than did the clergy during part of the Colonial period
5.The first Kentucky whiskey was made in 1789 by a Baptist minister
6.During the Colonial period, alcohol abstainers had to pay one life insurance company rates 10% higher than that of drinkers. Of course, today we know that abstainers tend not to live as long as moderate drinkers.
7.The laws of most American colonies required towns to license suitable persons to sell wine and spirits and failure to do so could result in a fine.
8.Colonial taverns were often required to be located near the church or meetinghouse
George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson all enjoyed brewing or distilling their own alcohol beverages.
This and more information is @ http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/FunFacts/PuritansToProhibition.html
We sure have come a long way... in the wrong direction. Please people... don't vote away anymore of your freedoms.
Beer
Drinking makes such fools of people, and people are such fools to begin with, that it's compounding a felony.
Robert Benchley
Psalm 104:14-15 states that
Psalm 104:14-15 states that "God gives wine that makes glad the heart of men.”
Guess you two won't be buying a beer. Just means the line to buy a beer will be a couple people shorter ;)
LOL
What God giveth he taketh away !
Like your healthy liver,nice abs, drivers license, spouse. :)
LOL
It would be the Devil that may be allowed to take those good things but not a beer or some wine. Gods' son Jesus said to give a little wine to those who are ill and made wine himself... and it was good. This news article just makes it easy to see that law enforcement views this festival as another profit center or "tax" on God fearing tax payers. Go look for real criminals.. there are plenty.