Each year, an estimated one million people (approximately 1.2 million in 2019) come to the city of Bethlehem to enjoy Musikfest. Each year, Bethlehem Police, with assistance from multiple outside agencies, police Musikfest to keep it safe. This is done in addition to our normal patrols that occur every day, 365 days a year. The policing of Musikfest and the safety of all who attend is a high priority for the Bethlehem Police Department.

As you know, Musikfest encompasses two large areas of the city; on the South Side by Steel Stacks and on the North Side along the downtown Main Street areas and the Monocacy Creek, Johnston Park area.

It is a joint coordinated effort of local, county, state and federal agencies that work together to ensure that if an incident or emergency occurs, a quick, coordinated and immediate response is followed.

Most issues at Musikfest are minor and simple: a bee sting, an injured person, sick persons, heart issues, heat exhaustion, too much to drink, and some minor altercations. Be it a minor incident or major incident, all incidents are taken seriously and responded to accordingly.

As we all know, crimes and incidents occur at every event in the Lehigh Valley and throughout our nation. Musikfest is no exception. Wherever you have a large group of people, there will be some issues.

In 2019, there were 38 arrests at Musikfest - very low number considering the total amount of people that attended was 1.2 million.

Other than the arrests, police, firefighters and EMS responded to many other incidents in the Musikfest areas, ranging from lost children and adults, to parking complaints, lost and found property, minor arguments, minor offenses, medical calls, etc. Bethlehem EMS and fire personnel responded to 63 emergency medical calls at Musikfest 2019. Fire inspectors conducted daily inspections of all the Musikfest venues. Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) tents sent up throughout the Musikfest area handled 933 minor medical issues.

LVHN – North Side venues - 821

LVHN – South Side venues - 170

TOTAL ASSISTS - 991

Over the past 16 years of Musikfest, the average number of arrests per year is 45. This year’s number of arrests is well below that overall arrest average.

On behalf of the Bethlehem Police Department, I would like to thank ArtsQuest, their personnel and volunteers and all the public safety agencies that made Musikfest 2019 a safe and enjoyable event. Thank You Bethlehem! Thank you Musikfest! See you at Musikfest 2020!