Gulf Shores police: fewer arrests made at Hangout Fest 2023 than 2022

By MELANIE LECROY
Lifestyle Editor
melanie@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 5/22/23

Hangout Music Festival 2023 had beautiful but hot weather, and the nearly 35,000 festival goers were on overall good behavior as they enjoyed over 80 musical acts across six stages. The Gulf Shores …

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Gulf Shores police: fewer arrests made at Hangout Fest 2023 than 2022

Posted

Hangout Music Festival 2023 had beautiful but hot weather, and the nearly 35,000 festival goers were on overall good behavior as they enjoyed over 80 musical acts across six stages.

The Gulf Shores Police Department reported 107 arrests over the three-day festival. For comparison, the 2022 sold-out Hangout Music Festival saw 133 arrests.

This year was 90% sold, according to the festival website. Grant Brown, spokesperson for the City of Gulf Shores, said the beach itself was 100 feet narrower because of a renourishment project that will not begin until this fall.

The city police agency, with the assistance of the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office and several other local departments, worked the three-day event alongside lifeguards, medical personnel, first responders and 600 security guards. Hangout Music Festival — which is no longer officially affiliated with the restaurant — pays for worker labor.

By and large, the 107 arrests were for unlawful possession of controlled substances and felony-level possession of various controlled substances. The arrest stats include companion charges to the possession of a controlled substance charge.

Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance – 109
Distribution Controlled Substance – 2
Possession of Marijuana second degree – 15
Escape third degree – 1
Public Intoxication – 4

Criminal Trespass second degree – 8
Attempt to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer – 2
Assault third degree – 1
Possession Forged Instrument – 1
Exposure or Lewd Act in Public – 1
Criminal Trespass third degree – 1
Resisting Arrest – 2
Obstructing Government Operations - 1