TAMPA, Fla. — Despite hundreds of thousands of people "invading" Bayshore Boulevard for Gasparilla festivities over the weekend in Tampa, there wasn't much pillaging or plundering, according to authorities.
The Tampa Police Department said its officers, along with its partner law enforcement agencies including the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, reported a total of 18 arrests related to Gasparilla.
Of those 18 arrests, two were for DUI, eight were for BUI (boating under the influence) and eight were regarding other "disturbances."
According to Tampa police, in addition to those arrests, one missing person was reported during Gasparilla festivities; no details were provided regarding this case, but police added the missing person was safely reunited with their loved ones.
Additionally, there were six traffic-related incidents reported and two suspicious items were found during Gasparilla. Those suspicious items were later determined to be non-threatening, police said.
"I want to thank all of the Tampa Police officers who worked to keep paradegoers safe," Chief Lee Bercaw said in a statement. "This event is truly a team effort. I would like to also thank the many law enforcement agencies from around Tampa Bay that assisted in keeping Gasparilla safe for everyone."
On Saturday, the parade was halted for about 25 minutes after a 78-year-old man reportedly fell off one of the floats. He was taken to the hospital for treatment and police said he was "stable."