The numbers are in: police arrested five people during this weekend’s Boca Bash. Videos of a group of guys fighting are making the rounds on the internet.
NewsChannel 5 asked if it’s enough to try to shut down the event.
Officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission took us out on the water Sunday during the party.
They keep a close eye on the thousands of people on the water.
“I think it sends a message that we have a zero tolerance policy,” Ofc. Tyson Matthews said after officers issued a ticket to a group without the required amount of lifejackets on its boat..
Boca Raton police arrested five people at the event. That’s one more than in 2015.
They also issued seven citations and several warnings for a variety of minor offenses.
The fire department said it treated 16 people Sunday, all for minor injuries. That is also one more person than in 2015.
Boca police compare the event to a concert or football game. They prepare for a lot of people, and respond to expected calls like disorderly conduct.
Boca Raton Councilman Scott Singer has seen the video of the fight. Police said no one involved wanted to press charges. They towed the boat involved to the dock.
Singer doesn’t believe the city should try to stop the event. Plus, he said the federal government controls the waterway, not the city. So it cannot stop people from anchoring in Lake Boca.
“In the grand scheme of thousands of boaters there enjoying the water safely, a few bad things happen,” Singer pointed out. “As the city does with every event, Boca Fire and Boca Police are on hand to keep things under control and keep people safe.”
Boca resident Douglas Jefferson doesn’t want to participate in the event, but says there’s no reason to shut it down.
“Why bring out the negative of the party?,” he asked. “If you can get a bunch of people together enjoying themselves here in Boca Raton why not?”
So, it appears the annual party will continue.