Gwen Stefani concert 15 go to hospital for alcohol related illness

Alcohol-related illnesses at arts center concert sent 15 to hospital
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 05/25/07
BY ALISON HERGET
KEYPORT BUREAU

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HOLMDEL — Bayshore Community Hospital treated 15 concertgoers, 13 of them minors, for
alcohol-related illnesses following PNC Bank Arts Center's season-opener on Friday night, a hospital spokeswoman said Thursday.

The high number of teenagers imbibing heavily at the Gwen Stefani show prompted Turnpike Authority officials and State Police to meet Thursday to discuss a solution.

"After talking with the State Police, there is an acknowledgment that there is a
problem," said Joe Orlando, spokesman for the Turnpike Authority. "The next show at the arts center isn't until June 6 and we're working to try and have a plan in place."

Another meeting is planned with Live Nation, which leases the arts center from the
authority. State Police, asked Thursday to provide information on enforcement at the show, did not respond to several calls from a reporter.

Chris Domalewski, the hospital spokeswoman, said she could not discuss the nature of the alcohol-related problems.

Assemblywoman Amy H. Handlin, R-Monmouth, said she received an e-mail stating that an 11-year-old had been taken to the hospital with alcohol poisoning. At Thursday night's Holmdel Township Committee meeting, Mayor Serena DiMaso also said the youngest person taken to the hospital after Friday's show was 11.

Holmdel police Lt. Frank Allocco said his department was informed Friday night by hospital security of the number of juveniles being brought to the hospital from the amphitheater. He said no charges were filed.

State Police have jurisdiction over arts center grounds. But Holmdel police must respond when problems arise at the hospital, Allocco said.

"Over the years there have been a number of incidents where our patrols have had to go down to the hospital when there were disorderly or intoxicated subjects brought in from the arts center," he said.

Committeeman Terence Wall, a member of Holmdel's first-aid squad, said underage drinking and alcohol-related issues have been plaguing the facility for some time.

"There were calls where we had to attend to folks that were drunk and handcuffed to the walls of bathrooms," he said. "There were situations where patrons were drunk and bleeding and trying to hit the volunteers while handcuffed to the wall."

Wall said the Township Committee is considering asking police to set up a checkpoint at the Parkway access road after shows to catch drunken drivers.

Saturday's performance, headlined by rock group Heaven and Hell, also drew its fair share of rowdy concertgoers. Holmdel police on Saturday received three reports of disorderly conduct at the hospital, one in response to an 18-year-old.

In a May 22 letter to the state Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, Handlin asked that the arts center's liquor license be revoked. If it is renewed, she asks that the arts center be required to "assume financial responsibility for adequate surveillance and security, both inside the complex and in the parking areas."

"The lawlessness and utter chaos on the premises must be addressed immediately," Handlin said Thursday. "No excuses and delays are acceptable. The situation is already intolerable and the concert season has already begun."

Maureen Sczpanski, a spokeswoman for the ABC, said the department had received Handlin's letter and is looking into the matter.


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