Phish concert provides a heavy assortment of drugs

Wednesday, 03 November 2010 12:22

Atlantic City police make 64 arrests and seize over $250,000 worth of illegal substances

BY BOB HOLT

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

Rock band Phish is known for its multitude of followers on the road when on tour, and for that reason people are never really sure exactly what to expect.

Last weekend's Phish concerts in Atlantic City drew big crowds — and more than a quarter-million dollars in drugs over the weekend.

Deputy Police Chief Ernest Jubilee said there were 64 arrests and over six figures in seized drugs.

According to the Press of Atlantic City, part of the seized concessions included 70 tanks of nitrous oxide, over 550 grams of marijuana, about 135 grams of mushrooms and more than 100 pills of various prescription narcotics, along with brownies, cookies and Rice Krispies treats laced with marijuana. Police also confiscated 21 cookies containing LSD.

The most arrests came Saturday, when 33 people were taken into custody. Capt. Glenn Abrams, who heads the Special Investigations Unit, injured his hand during one arrest, as a man fought him. Officer William Tracy's portable police radio was stolen while he was arresting another man.

Knowing the popularity of Phish — and the drugs that often come with their shows — the department increased staffing last weekend, using both uniformed and undercover officers.

Phish fans have required more than a few communities to beef up security at their shows this year.

According to the Baltimore Sun, back in June Howard County Police made a total of 21 drug- and alcohol-related arrests during two Phish concerts at Merriweather Post Pavillion in Columbia, seizing three vehicles containing drugs and more than $10,000 in cash.

County police collaborated with Merriweather, providing extra forces — including officers from special operations and vice and narcotics — to supplement the venue's security.

After breaking up in 2004, the band's 2009 reunion show in Hampton, Va., saw 15 multi-day hospitalizations, and three overdose deaths, over the course of the three-day, 13,000-ticket capacity event, according to telluride watch.com.

In addition to injuries and overdoses related to nitrous oxide, ecstasy, and molly, a high-grade form of ecstasy, a one-day show in Mansfield, Mass., earlier this summer (capacity 20,000) produced 25 arrests for distribution of illegal substances and 30 to 40 overdose calls, Chief Marshal Jim Kolar said.

In mid-June 80 people were transported to the hospital over a two-day concert in Hartford, Conn., (daily capacity of 25,000) maxing out two level-one trauma centers.

And gothamist.com reported a 31-year old Connecticut resident finished off a June 22 Phish show at Great Woods in Mansfield, Massachusetts by selling nitrous oxide in the parking lot of a Red Roof Inn, throwing rocks at the cops who came to bust him, then running off into the woods. Gray then disappeared into the sewers, where he got lost for two days because most of the pipes are about 2 feet in diameter, and not wide enough for him to turn around.

Comments (40)

http://jambandsonline.com/2010/11/meet-me-tonight-in-atlantic-city-jbo-reviews-the-2010-phish-halloween-run/

STEVE HOLT!

I feel sorry for you Mr. Holt. You have no idea what our beautiful community within is about. You pointed out the negative energy that seems to be associated with us, "hippies". Positives of our community are too numerous to mention and I feel you wouldn't care anyway.
I agree totally with robespierre.(see 7 above)
Mr. Holt, we enjoy traveling "the land of the brave and free" to see our favorite American band perform. The cities that the band chooses are just as important as the songs they play. the city or town becomes very much part of the "show" experience. We know this about Phish. We respect the inhabitants of the City. We respect the police and staff members. We usually clean up after ourselves. I wonder if BonJovi fans do that? I say that with respect...just wondering?
About 15 years ago, my BF and I passed the then run down Boardwalk Hall, and asked each other why hadn't Phish played here yet. Our Phantasy took place a week ago! It was amazing! I spent a ton of money but had a blast doing it! THANKS to all the real nice jitney drivers, taxi drivers, casino workers, maids, waiters and bartenders, convenience store owners, hotel staff, concession stand workers, EMTS and police that lent helping hands, gas attendants, performers and DJS, bums that gave directions. In some way y'all made my stay in AC wonderful!
To all the people hating on AC, remember this is just one uneducated individual among a city of great people. Every city has it's fair share of uneducated ignorant people. Mr. Holt I am sending you some positive vibrations and hopefully you will change your "tude" and get to know the real PHANS!

This is the worst article I have ever read. How about instead of focusing on the low arrest percentage (and similar percentages in other states from months ago) why don't you focus on the great weekend in AC? Or how these shows woke up a failing atlantic city economy? or how Phish covered one of rocks most notable classic albums (Little Feat's Waiting for Columbus)?

not to mention the tens of thousands of people (with or without tickets) who DIDNT get arrested, DIDNT start ANY fights, and DIDNT cause ANY trouble whatsoever for atlantic city authorities. You're just as much a problem to America as the rest of these overly negative writers. Thanks for wasting my time. You should just stop writing.

Birds of a feather are flocking outside!!! and after i finshed the great phish show i went to harras to pass out and as i walked in jersy shore was there pumping coke and other crazy drugs and huge fights over chicks i would rather the peace and love in phish than any other scene

Nice article dumbass. so let me get this straight....64 arrests....and about 45,000 tickets were sold for the weekend. Do you have any skills at mathematics...use them! Seems like a very small group of folks getting in trouble. wow..the phish crowd is out of control. wonder how many hundreds of thousands of dollars were brought in by these crazy phish fans? DUMBASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bob Holt

Bob is a freelance writer slash forklift operator who worked for Sony Music in Pitman, New Jersey for 31 years before accepting a buyout from the company in 2008. He is somehow a member of the Authors Guild, and his work has appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer, Courier Post, Gloucester County Times, Press of Atlantic City and New Jersey Monthly on really slow news days. His book, "Views From The Cheap Seats: Lifestyles of the Unskilled and Mediocre," is available at random flea markets and various undisclosed locations everywhere. Mr. Holt lives in a spider hole in Wenonah, New Jersey, where plans for an insurgency against the Pulitzer Prize committee are currently continuing. Contact him at www.bobholtonline.com.

I specifically did NOT come to these shows b/c they were in A.C. So that's what I think of your town, Bob. I kicked my tickets to friend, who incidentally had a blast and did not get arrested. The only time in my life I was in A.C. I learned what it means to feel like you constantly have to be watching over your shoulder. No thanks. Sh-t hole.

but the bedbugs werent. Maybe Bob should do some reporting on the infestation of bedbugs all over AC.

Whatever Losers?? Is that how you treat your readers? Does your editor even glance at your pieces?? I'm sure newjerseynewsroom.com prides itself on quality journalism, not slanted facts for sensationalism by an immature hack.

Did you even research the fact that the Mimi Fishman organization has donated over a milllion dollars to charity? Or maybe the fact that there is a sober organization at each show called the Phellowship to support those who do not use drugs or alcohol?

And just as a refresher, here is what your website stands for:

We know how to get to the facts, get it right, and, when necessary, provide analysis. We will strive to provide unique content and news you can use.

We welcome and encourage intelligent debate. We will not shy away from controversy or criticism, but we will remove any comments that are deemed inappropriate.

Above all, NewJerseyNewsroom.com provides a home for journalists and writers who want to serve the people. Our goal is to inform ... to inspire ... and to ignite change for the common good

Somehow, I think you missed the mark

http://phi.sh/~acdGjm

On the Phish.net (fan) site blog.

You cant hurt my feelings

Comments (7)

Nice article, maybe you should try again after you go to college. Why not mention some of the positives the phish scene can bring to a rundown dump like AC. Only in a place like this are the phish fans not the dirtiest people around. So you really think that the thousands and thousands of dollars that were poured into that local economy doesn't outweigh the 64 arrests and the injured fingers of some cop? The cops were happy to be making overtime and working this weekend. So what if there were some drugs, there was virtually no violence. What would happen if Metalica played there? Next time do some original, non-biased research instead of re-writing someone else's article. Bob, your an embarrassment to your profession.

Ok. We get it. You took the arrest reports, strung them together, and out came this wonderful piece of garbage that you call an article. How about the thousands of dollars Phish and their fans pumped into the economy over the weekend? How about the friendliness of everyone? We are good people. We are nice people. We are respectful people. It is this sort of intolerance that breeds disdain toward our kind. NITROUS DEALERS ARE NOT PHISH PHANS. They ruin the scene by capitalizing on the w00ks. They are mainly from Philly, which is not far from AC. Garbage begets garbage and so on and so forth.
/thread

this reporter is a poofer, what shite journalism

This article reads like you pre-wrote part of it and just waited until after the show to get the arrest reports. Awful reporting and awful writing. Why were AC staff AND cops so happy the whole weekend. High-fives all around, except to this guy.

one sided much? have fun writing for the new jersey news room 4 the rest of ur life if this is the trash you write bob

come on bob.... u just wrote down a bunch of drugs and numbers. this isnt an article, this is a menu.

Try doing some actual reporting on the event. Your writing is terrible. Pretty much time to KYS.

sweet blahg, I'd love to SIIYB

They should have arrested more people. Phish fans are losers.

Your Moma must be proud. Best vibes AC has felt in decades

Bob, Bob, Bob ... Have friends much?

I'm calling nans on this guy even having a journalism degree. That looks like a freshman writing assignment at best.

You Sir, are a tool. Do not pass go, do not collect $200 dollars.

Dear Bob,

I'd pack your things. You're headed to New York City to write for THE TIMES

"Knowing the popularity of Phish — and the drugs that often come with their shows — the department increased staffing last weekend, using both uniformed and undercover officers."

Staffing was increased to combat the significant loss of officers in the ACPD with all of the recent lay-offs and cuts.

Also, why is there no mention of how city workers and event staff LOVED us?? And the fact that we donated $1000 to the Atlantic City High School music program??

Please do include a little more relevant information in your next article next time and stop with the sub-par high school research papers. Thanks.

Only 64 arrested over 3 days of sold out shows? I wonder what the number is when Phish in not playing in AC?

I'm not a phish fan, in fact I'd never listened to their music before this weekend. Let me say that I have never met a more friendly, excited and happy group of people in Atlantic City than the phish fans. I thought their positivity was infectious. They were a joy to be around while I was there and I would welcome them back in a heartbeat. If what this article says is true, I never saw the tiniest hint.

The fact that you think the scene was so bad in AC just goes to show that you know nothing about the city. As a Phish fan and a lifelong NJ resident who first experienced the pit of filth that is AC back in 1980, I can't believe you would equate our scene with anything worse than a house party while the parents were away. Did you mention the gangs, hookers, hard drug dealers, dirty cops or the casino regulars? Those are the people that make AC the pit it is. You are a total hack. Find another job 'cause you suck at writing.

I wonder in the long run what Atlantic City will think is better.. the millions of dollars in tourism revenue that phish brought in that weekend or a quarter of a million (minus the expenses for beefing up security) from arresting crackheads.

phish will be back.

Out of towners provided excellent marijuana, mushrooms and mahlie.

In-towners provided nitrous and crack...oh yeah, and hookers. Sounds like the Phish fans classed up the joint.

You sir are what we call a douche. Do better research next time. Maybe point out all the good things that Phish did for AC? You think the hotels would have been filled without Phish? Nope. You could also mention the fact the band took part in the Four Mile Canyon Revivial show to benefit the victims of the Colorado fires. Nope. You focus on the bad. Blatant Douche is Blatant.

-Your Majesty The Pimp King Wilson

You did not even mention the 3 day run, the fact the band covered an album or the fact Phish brought the only source of action and income to the boardwalk. I guess with negative people like yourself positive people can live. Those brownies were awesome and made New Jersey feel safe. I'm surprised you did not report on the huge shit I took in the Trump sink, Tropocana and Boardwalk Hall sinks. Maybe it's just my thing but if you invite me to your square little house I will shit in your kitchen sink.

Who do I contact for the return of my treats ?

Pathetic, Bob.

Please do some real research next time and talk to some fans. You represent everything that is wrong with the mainstream opinion of the best rock band on earth.

Please refer to this properly-written article for what you should aspire to produce one day: http://www.uticaod.com/blogs/talkofthetune/x2074065699/Genuine-Phish-fans-give-new-face-to-jam-band-scene

why do you only talk about the bad things phish brought to atlantic city? we also helped bring a pile of money to a very poor city. in a season where they need it bad. and the mocking bird foundation is bound to make a donations to the AC school system.

also, id love to hear what arrests normally happen in AC? Cocaine? Crack? Heroine? Meth? fights? gang wars? prostitution? us phish phans bring drugs that dont really hurt anyone or destroy lives. (the nitrous mafia brings the nitrous, not phish phans) we have a great time and treat our host city with respect.

I also find it somewhat ridiculous that you make no mention of the fact that the cops let certain nitrous oxide crews sell there balloons for hours and hours right on the boardwalk before coming in to break it up... it was pretty obvious that certain nitrous crews had paid off the cops. and the cops were out busting the competition. this is the real story of the weekend. every night one nitrous crew got to make 10s of thousands of dollars and the cops did nothing. obvious pay off.

but clearly bob holt is way to much of a hack to actually do any research or even go to atlantic city and see what its all about. he just writes his bias hit piece against the phish heads from his lame desk.

seriously though, be a reporter you hack waste of journalism.

Any wook sightings in the ocean this weekend?

just a smear job on Phish and their fans. These statistics are meaningless without comparison to other rock concerts in AC and the other cities. But obviously your "reporter" just wanted another lurid Phish-drugz story.

What about obnoxious and fighting drunks and DUIs at other concerts and sporting events? No discussion of that

HACK JOB. epic fail

its funny the way it make phans look, so many people just show up to party don't care about phish or the show, and make this scene look terrible.

On a brighter note, thousands of people didn't get arrested and had a great time with new and old friends. And pumped a bunch of money into Atlantic City businesses. And didn't beat each other up.

I agree Harry. WTF, can't people just do what they want to do?

Too bad Atlantic City would use its resources to promote such a show, then use it as bait for the fans that came to the economically depressed town to spend their money. No wonder Atlantic City has been hit so hard by the recession. I will not go back there again and I hope Phish never goes back either after receiving such bad press there. I'll bet that it'll be a long time before the AC hotels and casinos have so many full rooms. From now on I'll wait till Phish plays somewhere more welcoming and I'll gamble in my own state of Pennsylvania. I encourage all Phisheads to do the same!

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Phish concert provides a heavy assortment of drugs

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