Musikfest arrests up slightly from last year's event, police report

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — There were 29 arrests from among the estimated 1.3 million visitors who attended 11 days of Musikfest this year, Bethlehem Police Department said Tuesday.

That marked a slight increase from Musikfest 2022, when police said there were 21 arrests in and around the music festival grounds.

But this year's incidents were relatively minor — after last year's incidents included a shooting, police said.

• Bethlehem Police Department reported 29 arrests during Musikfest
• The arrests were a slight increase from last year's music festival
• Public drunkenness and disorderly conduct were the most common offenses.

"The Bethlehem Police Department is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable festival experience for each one of these visitors," the release said.

"Each day, the department assigns dozens of officers throughout the festival with a primary mission of providing high visibility patrols to deter illegal and disruptive activities, while also assisting festival visitors whenever needed."

In total, the police department said it handled 132 festival-related incidents, which represented an increase of 43 incidents from 2022.

'Relatively minor infractions'

Public drunkenness and disorderly conduct were the two most common offenses charged this year, with nine arrests each, police said.

There also were three drug-related offenses, three thefts, two DUIs and two assaults.

Twenty-two of those arrested were not residents of Bethlehem, police said.

At last year’s festival, a 20-year-old man was shot in the abdomen on Main Street between West Lehigh and Spring streets shortly before the festival was to close at 11 p.m. on the second-last night of the event.

Police reported 36 criminal offenses during this year’s event, noting the nature of these offenses being relatively minor infractions.

The police department also assisted Bethlehem Emergency Medical Services on 36 medical incidents, recovered lost property in 20 incidents, and fielded 12 incidents of 911 misdials and/or hangups.

On each day of Musikfest, the police department assigned dozens of officers throughout the festival with a primary mission of providing high visibility patrols to deter illegal and disruptive activities, while also assisting festival visitors whenever needed.

"Musikfest is just one of many special events that occur in the city of Bethlehem each year," the release said. "The Bethlehem Police Department encourages everyone to enjoy these events responsibly."