BC 1974 09 09 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Statement of Albert J. Klimas, Director, Cabarrus County Health Department (Continued) Mr. Pressley promised the Board of Health that there would be no camping permitted in the park- ing area surrounding the Speedway. As a result, no toilet or sanitation or water facilities were provided for the many thousands who were camped in the area completely surrounding the Motor Speedway. Some toilets were eventually placed outside in the parking area but they were too few, improperly spaced and not lighted for nighttime use. Mr. Pressley was told that according to health department standards the maximum crowd which could be servid for an extended period of time by the existing and portable facilities was 70,000 persons. As the event developed, and the crowds jammed in, the toilet conditions became deplorable and due to the lack of adequate facilities the Rock fans used the ground and other structures for their toilet privileges. In the aftermath, the stench and squalor was indescribably nauseating and aesthetically revolting. An organized group of food vendors from New York set up portable concession stands in the parking area surrounding the racetrack which is in violation of all food service regulations. FoOd was prepared and sold without any consideration for sanitation of the food or personal hygiene of the operators. SUMMARY. The best way that we might summarize all of the activities which had taken place leading up to the Rock Concert and the aftermath would be one of total iresponsibility, on behalf of the promoters, for the health and well-being of individuals who were in attendance at this event. The promoters had made specific promises to make provisions for the health and sanitation of rock concert fans but minimized the number of persons who be participating in this event. The Rock Concerts provide an ideal setting for anyone to do whatever he pleased outside of the law, from open sale and use of drugs, marijuana, indecent exposure and any other acts, without fear of arrest or reprisal. In retrospect, there would be no possible way that any rock festival could be carried out and meet basic health requirements. The format for Rock Concerts is for fans to arrive several days early in preparation for the event. However, for Rock Concerts are not limited to a few hours but to two full days which Tenders temporary toilet facilities unsatisfactory to meet the needs of crowds gathered in a congested area in the staging area. Our evaluations of the "August Jam" and its promotion goes, without question, that it was a public health menace and threat to the health of the citizens of Cabarrus County. We have yet to realize the health impact the "August Jam" had upon those in attendance. Other health directors have reported an increased incidence of venereal diseases attributed to the August Jam. In view of the acts which had taken place at the "August Jam" we wish to recommend in the public health interest of our citizens that "an ordinance or other regulation be enacted to prohibit rock concerts, rock festivals or similar events in Cabarrus County. In the event rock concerts cannot be prohibited we recommend: 1. That a regulation be enacted to rate every entertainment facility in the County for the maximum number of people the facility could accomodate. 2. That the maximum time interval at which an event and facility can accomodate a maximum crowd be established and regulated. 3. That a permit be issued and bond posted for each event with the provision that the crowd would not exceed the rated capacity of the particular facility." Statement of Sheriff J. B. Roberts "On August 7, 1974, we started twelve hour shifts. We had to double up in the jail and set up command posts at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Eight nurses had to be hired from the Cabarrus County Health Department. They were sworn in am auxiliary deputies and worked on Friday and Saturday as matrons at the Speedway. We continued our routine patrol of the county and the other half of the personnel, including one-half of the Kannapolis officers, worked at the Speedway. After people starte~ coming in at the Speedway, we found that we had lots of drug pushers setting up their businesses out of their cars. Some opened up business selling beer and wine. We, along with the State Bureau of Investigation, attempted to make arrests, and after the first one or two, the crowd began to grow. When we would attempt to make an arrest, the crowd would move in and start to rock our cars and officers. We had our county cars damaged approximately $1,000.00. We realized at this time that it would be too dangerous to try to make an arrest so we pulled back to our command post and did not attempt to make any arrest around the speedway. We observed marihuana being smoked by some that were in attendance. Pills were being passed out, syringes and needles were used. There were numbers under the influence, and many without clothing on. Nearer to the concert time on Friday, crowds began to gather around the fence. They tore up the fence at a number of places. The sanitation and toilet facilities were not adequate. We observed numbers of people making toilet facilities where ever they might be. As the time moved along, a number of people were staggering around and under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Any number were observed lying in the same place for ~our or five hours. We had people that would have an overdose of drugs and have reactions from them. We were constantly calling Rescue and Ambulance Service to take them to the hospital.