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More than 100 people were arrested on charges ranging from minor in possession of alcohol to burglary at the ‘Go Topless’ event on Crystal Beach last week, according to the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office.
Of the 113 people arrested between Wednesday and Sunday, most people faced low-level misdemeanor charges, such as driving without a seat belt or possessing alcohol as a minor. More than a dozen people were charged with drunken driving, and at least one person was charged with resisting arrest.
The event, which is named after the Jeep Wrangler’s removable upper body, attracts hundreds of Jeep owners to Crystal Beach annually. After reports of nonstop police activity this year, thousands of people signed a petition calling for the end of ‘Go Topless’ weekend.
PETITION: Petition calls to end ‘Go Topless’ Jeep event on Crystal Beach after reports of arrests, injuries
The petition said the event was becoming more dangerous for the public. However, some groups that attended the festival responded to the backlash on Facebook, saying they enjoyed their time responsibly.
“We do not drink and drive, had no minors with us, do not move the mega trucks (only use for advertisement), and we bring our own trash bags and clean up every morning!” according to a post from the Rednecks with Paychecks Offroad.