In July, more than 90 people were hospitalized -- many due to underage drinking -- after a Chance the Rapper concert in Hartford. Florida Georgia Line plays a show Friday night at Hartford’s Xfinity Center and because the demographics of those attending are similar, Hartford police will be stepping up their presence.
Deputy Chief Brian Foley said that 90 officers will be on hand at the concert confiscating booze and ticketing underage drinkers. And officers will be cracking down on tailgating, because that’s where most of it goes down.
“We don’t want tents,” Foley said. “We don’t want baggo, cornhole, grills—we’re going to be trying to push all that stuff out.”
Foley said his unit will be forcing tailgaters to get inside by the time gates open at 6:30 pm. And he had a message for parents of teenagers.
“Don’t come here to our concerts and expect your kids to make a good decision,” Foley said. “If you’re dropping your kid off, don’t drop them off in the parking lot to run wild. Please—bring them to the gate and watch them go inside.”
Because of the fact that the department is expecting 24,000 people for the concert, and the Yard Goats happen to playing at that time, Foley asked that spectators leave early and prepare to be in traffic.
