Fewer arrests, citations, but more treated at latest Chesney concert, Pittsburgh police say
Kenny Chesney fans were better behaved during the country music star's return Saturday to Heinz Field than they were two years ago, authorities said Sunday.
Pittsburgh police made 10 arrests, wrote eight citations and issued a court summons at the concert, Assistant Police Chief Thomas Stangrecki said.
That's down from 73 arrests and citations during Chesney's 2013 show, which made national headlines for fans' unruly behavior.
“This was an embarrassment for a lot of Kenny Chesney fans two years ago,” Guy Costa, the city's operations chief, said.
Most of the arrests Saturday were for disorderly conduct and public drunkenness, Stangrecki said.
The most serious arrest involved a man who threw a chair at police during a tailgating party in a parking lot. He was charged with assaulting an officer, Stangrecki said.
“Anytime you have 55,000 people, you're going to have arrests,” said Costa, referring to the number of people who attended the concert.
In 2013, many fans began tailgating before 9 a.m. On Saturday, lots were not opened until 1 p.m.
“Limiting the time folks could be in the parking lots helped alleviate some of the problems,” Costa said.
Paramedics treated about 170 people in and around Heinz Field, up from 150 during Chesney's 2013 concert, said Bob Farrow, Pittsburgh's deputy EMS chief.
Two tailgaters were sent to the hospital with “very minor injuries” when a storm toppled trees on Federal Street, Farrow said.
The majority of medical calls were alcohol-related, he said.
Tony Raap is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-320-7827 or traap@tribweb.com.
