Press Release
June 15, 2010
Eileen Larrabee
Dan Keefe
518-486-1868
Stepped Up Alcohol and Drug Enforcement Announced for Weekend Phish Concerts at SPAC
(Saratoga Springs, NY, June 15, 2010) - The New York State Park Police in cooperation with the New York State Police, the City of Saratoga Springs Police Department and the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Criminal Investigations Unit are advising persons attending the Phish concerts at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) on Saturday, June 19 or Sunday, June 20 that law enforcement personnel will be enforcing all laws concerning drugs and alcoholic beverages.
Particular attention will be paid to the prohibition of alcohol within state parks, possession of marijuana, underage drinking and driving while intoxicated.
Under the plans, uniformed and plainclothes police officers and investigators will be looking for violations of the law and taking strong enforcement action which will include making arrests, issuing tickets, impounding vehicles, confiscating and discarding alcoholic beverages and ejecting violators from the park and concert venue. As part of that effort, passive alcohol screening devices (Alco-Sensor FSTs ) will be used to detect alcohol in unmarked containers. Drug detecting canines will also be on site.
Investigators and police officers equipped with instruments designed to detect alterations to identification documents will be on site looking for underage persons using fraudulent identification documents. Possession of fraudulent driver licenses or other documents issued by government agencies is a serious offense that can lead to arrest, prosecution and loss of driving privileges.
Checkpoints will be in place on roadways and entry points to screen motorists for possession of alcoholic beverages and intoxicated driving. Intoxicated drivers will be immediately arrested and their vehicles will be impounded. These measures will serve to protect the vast majority of concert patrons who comply with the law, drive safely and enjoy a world class concert in one of New York's most beautiful parks.
Parking and Operational Changes Will Be In Effect
Park officials also announced a series of parking and operational changes that will be in effect for the 2010 SPAC concert series. Gates to the SPAC parking lots on Route 50 open at 4:00 pm. for both Saturday and Sunday performances. Gates to the amphitheater open at 5:30 pm.
Parking is available at numerous lots throughout Saratoga Spa State Park for a $10 fee. Patrons are encouraged to car pool. Parking in the Park is easily accessible from all four major entrances to the Park off Route 9 and Route 50. Concert-goers are strongly encouraged to plan for traffic congestion heading into the park.
The public is also reminded that state parks are Carry In - Carry Out facilities. Patrons should take responsibility for removing their own litter, should not bring any glass containers into the park as these present a hazard to patrons and an unnecessary, costly and time intensive project to sweep broken glass.
The Route 50 entrance to SPAC is the best place to drop off ticket holders starting at 5:30 pm. The entrance by the Sun Dial off the Route 50 parking lot will be accessible starting at 10 pm for those returning to pick up concert goers.