Alki Beach cleared out Saturday night after fights, arrests
May 30, 2021, 7:44 AM | Updated: 7:57 am
Police were at Alki Beach on May 29, 2021, to monitor an unusually large group. Multiple fights broke out and officers made two arrests as the park closed early. (Seattle PD/Twitter)
(Seattle PD/Twitter)
After multiple fights and two arrests, Alki Beach was shut down early Saturday night.
Police said an “unusually large crowd” was at the beach.
What started out as a peaceful and calm day at the beach later became chaotic into the evening, as it was ones of the first times people were able to party during the pandemic.
There were several fights that broke out at Alki Beach; however, there were no reports of anyone being seriously injured or hurt.
The violence brought a swarm of officers, which led to two people being arrested.
Beachgoers were told by officers around 9:30 p.m. to put out the bonfires, KIRO 7 found out.
Just after 10 p.m., officers began shutting down Alki Beach. They asked people to leave because Seattle Parks closed it down due to ongoing public safety issues such as fights, fires, and robberies.
At the request of @SeattleParks, officers are shutting down #AlkiBeach Park early tonight. Please stay out of the area and get home safely. pic.twitter.com/HwsF4PJjpW
— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) May 30, 2021
Although the authorities closed the beach, people continued to party and push back at one point.
A woman was also seen dancing on top of a police cruiser with people cheering her on.
KIRO 7 saw officers go street to street pushing people out of the area.
“We ask that you go back to your vehicles and clear the area. We appreciate your cooperation. Thank you very much,” an officer said over a speaker.
Gradually those efforts worked, with hundreds of people scattering through the streets of West Seattle, moving out of the area.
KIRO 7 reported earlier in the day that there were hundreds, possibly thousands of people soaking up the sun at Alki Beach. Dozens of officers were sent out early to patrol the area. Two mobile command centers were stationed at Alki Beach.
