Summer concerts; tailgating and dangerous behaviors

The Milford Prevention council recently was notified by a Milford parent regarding her experience she had with her family at the Xfinity Theater in Hartford.

I was at the Jason Aldean concert on Friday night. What a clear, beautiful, warm summer night! It was my first time at the Xfinity Theater. As a mother of four kids, my first thought was that the Xfinity theater would be a great place to bring my family. As I walked in, I was excited to see all the open lawn that was available to put my blanket down on. The performers were wonderful, and the show moved along nicely. From that perspective, it was a nice experience.

Unfortunately, I won’t remember the concert as long as I will remember my feeling that your theater is a tragedy waiting to happen. As I watched the audience file in, I noticed that many of those in attendance were young teenagers. Upon careful observation I noticed that many of these teenagers were intoxicated. They were not just acting “silly” and slightly drunk, I saw many of these children stumbling around on the hill. There was a group of students from our local high school who came into the show flat out drunk. After the show I found out that one of those kids was taken away in an ambulance even before the show started because he was so intoxicated. He had been tailgating with others from his high school and he drank too much and began vomiting. During the show, I watched as the beer vendors checked IDs of kids and allowed them to buy even though they were clearly not 21 years old. I had two kids sit down in front of my blanket and pass out. It was a disgusting display. I couldn’t believe what I was witnessing.

On top of that, the beer vendors kept selling beer well into Jason Aldean’s performance. How irresponsible is that? Those people were opening new drinks even though they would be getting in their cars within the hour.

There were plenty of police in attendance outside the show. Before it began I saw them directing traffic and walking/driving through the parking lots to oversee the people who were tailgating. After the show I saw many who were busy handcuffing people and monitoring the crowd. I’m not sure that the problem was lack of police presence.

No one asked me, but I think the problem is that your theater has created an air of promoting underage and excessive drinking. If you can’t be accused of encouraging underage drinking, at a minimum you are guilty of not discouraging it. Either way, you are doing a tremendous disservice to the teenagers in our state, the people who go to the concerts, and the people who live in the area around the facility.

I appreciate your time,
Suzanne J.

This is not the first time that the concert venue has been discussed about its reputation of “binge fest” of drinking that occurs hours before shows start.

On-site parking lots and off-site parking lots open around 3 hours prior to the beginning of the show for those who want to park and tailgate. Tailgating includes grilling, outdoor games such as corn hole and KanJam and of course drinking. There are around 75 officers present during live events, and in comparison to the hundreds of attendees, are highly outnumbered.

Much of the concern with the safety of young teens drinking comes from those who have intractable vomiting, become comatose or require airway support and critical care. While being under the influence you can separate from your group, wander into bushes and pass out or pass out under/behind a car without anyone knowing.

For perspective: In 2013, Hartford police arrested 29 people and issued 126 community court summons the Rascal Flatts concert. It was the most arrests at any live show that year.

Parents are being asked to discuss underage drinking at home and to understand with their children the risks and consequences you will face when engaging in such behavior. Binge drinking, especially of those underage, is extremely dangerous and has potentially deadly penalties. It is encouraged to drop your teens off at the venue without access to tailgating in the parking lots hours before the event. Picking up and dropping off while engaging in conversation and reinforcement is highly encouraged. Another thing would be for parents to NOT buy the tickets or suggest to go along for the ride. Make it a family outing and chances are they’ll change their mind quick, fast in a hurry about going to avoid the embarrassment!

The best prevention is to have a plan!

Below is the link to the upcoming concerts at Hartford’s Xfinity Theater

http://www.livenation.com/venues/14505/xfinity-theatre

Please contact the Milford Prevention Council at 203 783-6676 for further information.

www.milfordprevention.org