More than 90 people were hospitalized on Friday during a concert featuring Chance the Rapper in Connecticut, multiple outlets reported.
A large number of those hospitalized were underage, suffering from “severe intoxication,” Hartford Deputy Chief Brian Foley said on Saturday. According to Foley, officers made 50 underage drinking referrals at Hot 93.7′s Hot Jam concert held at Xfinity Theatre. Many of the violators were issued a summons to appear in court. Several other arrests were made throughout the night, CBS News reports.
Busy night for HPD at Chance the Rapper concert. 50 Underage Drinking referrals. 90+ Ambulance transports to regional hospitals. pic.twitter.com/Pe3KtlWbb4
— D/C Foley (@LtFoley) July 22, 2017
In a series of tweets, Foley posted video of concertgoers tailgating, accompanied by the message: “Did you drop your teen off at the concert tonight. This is what it looks like. & HPD is enforcing underage drinking in the lots.”
Parents:
Did you drop your teen off at the concert tonight. This is what it looks like. & HPD is enforcing underage drinking in the lots. pic.twitter.com/qtsVKOGJTH— D/C Foley (@LtFoley) July 21, 2017
1:2 HPD has made a high number of Underage Drinking Referrals. I’m told there was an extraordinary number of EMS transports of severe ETOH. pic.twitter.com/22oqv5OCUk
— D/C Foley (@LtFoley) July 22, 2017
2:2 Additional steps will have to be taken to address these issues at these concerts. pic.twitter.com/MP37uleHV7
— D/C Foley (@LtFoley) July 22, 2017
The crowd appeared to be made up of fans in their late teens and early 20s. According to Foley, tailgating, partying and excessive alcohol consumption was “extremely prevalent.”
Police estimate around 21,000 people attended the event, which had a special detail focused on underage drinking enforcement, sponsored in part by an “Underage Drinking Enforcement” grant by the state Department of Transportation, NBC Connecticut reports.
Those who received a summons will appear at Hartford Community Court on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of the upcoming week.
Chance the Rapper has not commented on what transpired at the concert.
