the bethlehem police's 2015 musikfest tips

8/20/2019 The Bethlehem police's 2015 Musikfest tips

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A Message from the Bethlehem Police Department

about Musikfest 2015

It’s that time of year again. Musikfest 2015 is about to open within the week. Every year Musikfestbrings in approximately 1,000,000 people to the City of Bethlehem to partake in “America’s Largest Outdoor

Music Festival.”

Musikfest encompasses two large areas of the City; on the south side by Steel Stacks and on the northside along the downtown Main Street area and the Monocacy Creek, Johnston Park area.

Bethlehem Police Officers, Firefighters and EMS will be assigned to all areas of Musikfest to help you.Police Officers will be on foot, on bicycles, in vehicles, on motorcycles and on horseback. If you have a

problem, they are there to assist you. Muiskfest personnel are also on hand to assist you. And remember, if you

have an emergency, dial 911 on your cell phone and we will respond to your emergency.

Every year, arrests do happen at Musikfest. Needless to say, your behavior has to stand out from the

crowd in order for you to be arrested during the festival. That being said, we would appreciate your

cooperation. We want everyone to enjoy themselves and have a good time, right up to the point when it is time



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to go home. All we are asking for is your cooperation so that your visit to Musikfest is remembered as a safeand enjoyable experience.

Alcohol Policy:

There is an Open Container Ordinance in the City of Bethlehem which prohibits people from carrying anopen container of alcohol in a public place. This ordinance is not in effect at a location for which a special

occasion permit has been issued by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (Musikfest). The permitted area

only encompasses the actual Musikfest areas on the north side and the south side.

We understand that people like to walk in between the Musikfest locations. While the current laws do

not allow for anyone to carry an open container of alcohol outside of the Musikfest venues, we suggest that you

finish your beer at the Musikfest location you are visiting before traveling to your next location. The best pieceof advice to offer is this: If you and your friends are peacefully walking down the street between Musikfest

locations drinking from your Musikfest Mugs, no problem. If you are walking down a city street drinking a

bottle of Beer or a fifth of Whiskey, screaming at people, jumping out into traffic, drawing attention to yourself

and others, you can expect a visit from one of our Officers. In short, if your behavior doesn’t attract ourattention in a negative fashion, you will most likely be OK.

Last year there was much consternation about whether you could walk across the Fahy Bridge with a

Musikfest mug, since it is technically outside of the Musikfest area. Out of the hundreds of people who did so,

not one was stopped or arrested by the police. It’s simple, just remember drink and act responsibly



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NO!!!

Beer and some other alcoholic beverages are served at Musikfest venues. DO NOT bring alcoholic

beverages to Musikfest in cans, bottles or other containers. DO NOT bring backpacks thinking you can hide the

cans or bottles. DO NOT hide bottles or cans on your body. We know all the tricks. They are nothing new.

Some people will refill their Musikfest mug with beer or a malt beverage inside one of the area

establishments and leave to attend the festivities at Musikfest. PA Liquor Control Enforcement laws prohibitanyone from leaving an establishment with liquor or wine. This is State Law.



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Behavior Policy

Out of the arrests made last year, the most

frequently cited section was Disorderly Conduct. This is

primarily used for people who are disturbing the peace,physically fighting, yelling obscenities towards others, and

creating problems. The type of behavior will not be

tolerated and will result in your arrest.

The next type of arrest is for Underage Drinking. This violation will always result in your arrest and

removal from the festival. Despite how old you think you look, you look really young to us and probably don’t

have much of an ability to behave properly after drinking. We know the backpack trick, the water bottle trick,



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and quite a few others. This one is very simple, if you are under 21, don’t drink at Musikfest, or anywhere elsein the City of Bethlehem.

Public Drunkenness

is another type of arrest made at Musikfest. This is usually for people who are

passed out, vomiting, or who can barely walk. Again, if you behave in a manner that does not attract our

attention in a negative way, or are creating a hazard to yourself or others, you will most likely be OK. If youbecome intoxicated, have a friend quietly walk or get you home.

Driving Under the Influence – DUI. These arrests occur all year in Bethlehem and throughout the

Lehigh Valley. We understand, it’s Summer. It’s Hot. You just got done with a hard day at work and you andyour friend come to Musikfest. Those cold beers go down very easy. We understand that people are going to

consume alcoholic beverages. All we ask is that you drink responsibly. Don’t risk your life and the lives of

others by driving drunk. Its not worth it. Call a friend, Take a taxi. Walk home. Please do not hurt yourself oryour family or anyone else or their family by driving drunk. Be responsible. Please do not drink and drink.



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All we are asking is that you drink responsibly and act responsibly. Please be courteous to others. Do notscream and shout obscenities, throw things, break things, act aggressively or cause attention to yourself by

doing something stupid. Please remember that people come to Musikfest to simply relax and have a good time.If you understand that and respect others, the only time you will have contact with a police officer is when you

ask him directives to the next platz.

Transportation and Parking:

Parking fines are increased during the festival because the year-round residents of Bethlehem were

subject to some of the more bizarre parking behaviors ever seen. In the years before the increased fines, we had

people parking in other people’s driveways, front lawns and sidewalks. Please be considerate of others whenyou choose a parking space. If you are coming from out of the area, the best solution is to use one of the

Musikfest Satellite Parking areas. If you are in town, the Bethlehem Parking Authority has many lots that are

available and convenient. In short, there are many close, convenient, secure places to park your car. Againplease be considerate. If you are not, you will get ticketed and possibly towed.



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A Final Note:

A Final note, on behalf of the City of Bethlehem Police Department and all its Officers and 911 Staff

working Musikfest, we hope you have a great time at Musikfest. There are many acts and shows for you and

your friends and families to enjoy. Please abide by our rules and laws. We hope your visit to the City ofBethlehem and/or Musikfest is a very enjoyable one.

Please drink and act responsibly. Enjoy yourself and be safe.

Thank You in advance for your Cooperation.

Sincerely;

Mark A. DiLuzio

Chief of PoliceCity of Bethlehem

the bethlehem police's 2015 musikfest tips

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