Bolivar Peninsula – Steve Darwin, the owner of Crystal Beach Decor on the Bolivar Peninsula, says Jeep Weekend has been chaotic in years past.
“They’re very unsafe,” said Darwin. “I guess uncourteous is the right word.”
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But this year was a stark contrast.
“I can tell you right now, the law enforcement did exactly what they wanted to do," said Darwin.
Jeep Weekend is an unofficial, annual event that takes place each year on the Bolivar Peninsula. Over the years, it’s drawn in thousands of people. But the event has also been associated with mayhem and violence.
In 2022, Galveston County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant John Hamm was struck and badly hurt by a suspected drunk driver.
In 2024, a shooting at Jeep Weekend left one man dead and several others injured.
Sheriff Jimmy Fullen made it clear this year would be different.
“We’re not going to tolerate misbehavior. We’re not going to tolerate people violating the laws,” said Fullen in a public safety announcement.
Along with a number of sweeping changes, including no parking on Crystal Beach, no ATVs, no glass containers, no golf carts, and no dirt bikes, there were also more than 520 officers from 16 agencies patrolling the peninsula.
Darwin said the changes worked.
“I haven’t heard of anything that was substantial as far as property damage or a death or injury,” said Darwin. “I would say it was like a 100% complete success.”
KPRC 2 also spoke to a worker at The Big Store and Julie Moore, the owner of Island Time Designs. Both telling us the beach was empty on Friday and quiet throughout the weekend.
Moore told KPRC 2 that years past, she had to put up barricades around her property to keep it safe. But did not need to do that this year.
“There’s lost revenue, no doubt,” said Darwin. “But I don’t know if that’s going to be the norm.”
Business owners tell KPRC 2 they have traditionally had to shut down their stores during Jeep Weekend because of security concerns.
As of Sunday, GCSO reported 275 arrests and 42 firearm seizures during this year’s Jeep Weekend.
Last year, there were about 300 arrests.
