BOLIVAR PENINSULA, Texas – Jeep Weekend is now over, and this year’s annual event on the Bolivar Peninsula looked a bit different.
In the past, Jeep Weekend was marred by incidents of violence, including a deadly shooting one year ago. This time around, many credited a series of safety and security changes implemented by law enforcement for the calmer atmosphere.
The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office partnered with over a dozen agencies to deploy 520 law enforcement officers on the ground. Checkpoints were established, resulting in several arrests and gun seizures. Additionally, new rules prohibited parking on the beach and banned golf carts, ATVs, and dirt bikes.
The heightened law enforcement presence and safety measures appeared to contribute to the smaller crowd size when compared to prior Jeep Weekends.
The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office released the number of arrests made this year during the event:
Jeep Weekend Arrests:
- Total Arrests: 286
- Charges Filed:
- 290 misdemeanors
- 53 felonies
- Weapons Recovered: 43 firearms
For comparison, here’s what was recorded in 2024:
- Total Arrests: 275 during the three-day event
- Calls for Service: 893
- Fatalities: 1 (a 33-year-old man died)