Crowds of people walk through one of the vending areas Sunday at the Riverbend Festival.A total of 55 people were arrested this year at Riverbend, Chattanooga police say.
The majority of those arrests - 38 out of 55 - were drinking-related offenses, according to statistics released Tuesday.
"The biggest issues are typically always the drinking issues," said Chattanooga police Sgt. Jerri Weary, noting drinking and driving as well as causing disorder as examples. "Aside from that, the issues that we see are off site such as traffic crashes and towing cars."
During the nine-day festival that features live music acts and activities, 32 people were kicked out of the festival attended by thousands. Officers confiscated admission pins for the remainder of the week for those who caused disorders. Officers wrote 48 citations.
To cover patrol shifts throughout the rest of the city, Weary said officers received no days off during the festival.
Weary could not provide the number of officers who worked security as of press time. The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office also had deputies work the event. Figures for the sheriff's office were unavailable at the time of this report.
Last year's figures were also unavailable.
Chip Baker, executive director of the Riverbend Festival, did not return a phone message for comment.