News release from Newport PD. The annual Seafood and Wine Festival in Newport brought more than 26,000 people to the venue in South Beach. The huge tent, erected next to Rogue Ale and the South Beach Marina, sheltered 26,371 guests, vendors, sponsors, and volunteers. On Saturday, February 27, paid attendance soared to 11, 796 guests. Newport Police Officers were joined by fellow law enforcement agencies that included Lincoln City Police Department, Toledo Police Department, the Sheriff’s Mounted Posse, and representatives from the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, and TCB Security. During the festival weekend, Newport Police Officers made 15 arrests. One of the arrests was for Criminal Trespass 2nd Degree. Three arrests for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants were made. Officers responded to four traffic crashes, three of which involved DUII drivers. Officers conducted 27 traffic stops. The total number of calls for service during the long weekend was 178. TCB Security responded to three medical situations, one arrest, nine Open Container Violations, four Vendor Rule Violations, five trespasses, one drug complaint (use of marijuana in public). There were 72 intoxicated subjects that were refused to be served. The Chamber of Commerce added more buses to the shuttle service. Newport Police issued 16 temporary taxi driver permits to private vehicles. A few groups had chartered buses to travel to and from the festival. This combination of transportation options effectively reduced the number of impaired drivers on the road.
