Should Jeep Weekend in Galveston be canceled due to increased arrests, violence each year?

GALVESTON – Ahead of every summer, one longstanding event in southeast Texas makes its way to the headlines for its unbelievable fallout and questionable safety measures.

This annual event that takes place each year is no longer known for its intended purposes but now, many hear the words ‘Jeep Weekend’ and tense up, thinking of the chaos and sometimes deadly repercussions it brings.

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SEE ALSO: Galveston’s ‘Jeep Weekend’ sees 275 arrests, 3 shootings, and 1 fatality

The ‘Jeep Weekend’ event held in Galveston County was created as a way to celebrate Jeep culture and ‘Go Topless Day’ where owners around the country are encouraged to let their tops back and sport their custom wheels in front of fellow car connoisseurs.

Despite the good intentions behind the festivities, the past few years have been everything BUT a safe, family-friendly environment.

Each year, the amount of arrests and injuries seemingly increases by the boatload.

At the 2024 event, there were a total of three people who were shot, including one that claimed the life of a 33-year-old man. Officials added that there were also 275 arrests and 893 calls for service to the area.

Last year, KPRC 2 reported on a woman who was kidnapped while partying at Jeep Weekend.

SEE ALSO: Woman kidnapped at Jeep Weekend, sexually assaulted in Humble while being held for ransom money

She was then said to have been taken by the kidnappers to Humble where she was sexually assaulted and held for ransom money.

That year, there were more than 230 people arrested, and 40 hospitalized during the span of the weekend. When that happened, KPRC 2 spoke with Major Ray Nolen with the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office who said, “There is no one coordinator for this event for us to negotiate with. So, we just know (invites are) coming through social media and intel. We just prepare for this and keep it as safe of an event as we can.”

Prior to that, in 2022, a man was arrested after allegedly hitting a Galveston Co. Sheriff’s deputy with a vehicle during Jeep Weekend. During that year’s event, at least 38 people were sent to the hospital, including eight by air helicopter.

Business owners and locals around that part of the Bolivar Penisula have complained for years about the event and asked city officials to step in to do something about it.