NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:  Thursday, June 23, 2005

NEW CONCERT ATTENDANCE RULES TO BE IN EFFECT FOR JUNE 24TH TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS MEADOWS MUSIC THEATER CONCERT.

(Hartford) - Hartford Police announced today that public drinking and tailgating in parking lots in and around the Meadows Music Theater will be prohibited at the June 24th, 2005 Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers concert.   This action is being taken after debriefing meetings with city agencies, Meadows Music Theater management, parking lot operators, and the Hartford Police Department with respect to the success of new attendance rules instituted for the Dave Matthews concert.   Concert goers should be aware that City Ordinance 4-3 which prohibits open alcoholic containers and consumption of alcoholic beverages and state Liquor control laws will be enforced.  They should also be prepared to show their tickets to the concert.  Parking lots will open to ticket holding concert goers at 4:30 p.m.

Hartford Police are asking for media and community support in getting the message out to the public that in addition to enforcing public drinking ordinances, any illegal drug activity, and/or disorderly conduct will not be tolerated at this event, in the concert venue, or in surrounding private parking lots. 

The City of Hartford and Hartford Police Department welcomes ticket holding concert goers to our city.  Those individuals deserve the benefit of attending a peaceful and orderly event.  We have received numerous thank you phone calls, letters and e-mails from Dave Matthews concert goers and surrounding businesses expressing their appreciation of and support for measures instituted by the HPD with respect to traffic and crowd control, enforcement of public drinking and disorderly conduct.  

Individuals without tickets seeking to participate in illegal activity in parking lots should be on notice that this behavior will not be tolerated and state and local liquor laws will be strictly enforced.  Police intend to turn away vehicles and pedestrians with large amounts of alcohol or give them the option of surrendering it to the police.

HPD Deputy Chief Daryl K. Roberts said  "As with the Dave Matthews concert, we want ticket holding concert goers to enjoy their attendance at Meadows Music Theater concerts in a safe and peaceful environment.  All concert goers and surrounding businesses can be assured that the Hartford Police Department will have a uniform presence to assist in the flow of traffic, control access to all parking lots to ticket holding concert goers, and prevent disorderly conduct, underage drinking, and illegal drug activity in all parking in and around the Meadows Music Theater.  Our objective is for concert goers to have an enjoyable evening, performers to enjoy their experience in Hartford, and all to return home safely."

Contact:   Nancy Mulroy, Public Information Officer, Hartford Police Department,  (860) 543-8746
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