In Tampa, Florida, the yearly Gasparilla Parade is always a time to celebrate and take part in the festivities…and drink based on the number of DUI arrests. Over the weekend, Tampa police estimated that approximately 350,000 people converged in downtown Tampa to witness the parade. Among those that gathered to watch the pirates and floats parade down Bayshore Boulevard, 141 of the participants were not so lucky to leave the same way they arrived.
Reports show that, by 7:30 PM Saturday, 79 people had been arrested by 4 agencies, including Temple Terrace Police Department, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department, Florida Highway Patrol and Tampa Police Department. As the weekend continued, people were arrested for DUI, felony charges, misdemeanor charges, boating under the influence and .02 violations.
The Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages also reported that 57 people under the age of 21 were arrested for possession of alcohol.
If you or someone you know was arrested and charged with any crime during the Gasparilla Parade, please contact Stephen Higgins at 813-649-8690 for a free consultation.