NEWYou can now hear Fox News articles. Emory Randolph. Of those 26 arrests, 19 were by Tybee Island Police and seven by the Georgia State Patrol. Orange Crush 2024 saw 54 arrests and 26 in 2023. No other details on the arrests were immediately available. The Orange Crush Festival returned to Tybee Island this weekend. Organizers promoted it as “THE LARGEST HBCU Beach BASH IS BACK”, and said that more than 50,000 people would be attending. “It is pretty similar to last year.” We might have more people, but the safety protocol we implemented three years ago seems to be working. It’s been the same for the last three years,” West told Fox News Digital. West said that authorities enlisted the help of agencies from across the state and region, including the Georgia State Patrol and Department of Natural Resources’ Motor Carrier Division. They also included the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office and Chatham County Sheriff’s Office. “We had a bad situation in 2023. What happened was that we had many people who weren’t students come to this event. West said that the older people were bringing drugs, guns and trying to take advantage. “And thanks to the security we’ve put in place, it has allowed us to filter out those people.” Now we have college students who are here. It’s more like a spring break group than a destructive group. “He said that city leaders found that the event runs better when students organize entertainment. “It works much better when students organize an activity and we work together. In the past, students had to find their own entertainment when they simply showed up. West said that sometimes the fun was not the best. “So, when you have an activity, a band or something to keep them interested, it works better. “WATCH: Orange Crush CEO says event is rebranded with collaboration with city, policeOrange Crush reloaded CEO Steven Smalls told Fox News Digital that the event was intended to give college-age students a safe place to celebrate. “It is more important for the college students to come out and enjoy themselves and focus on their graduation in May. It’s a college thing, and I hope in the future that I can give back some student debt relief to help one of SSU’s (Savannah State University’s) students. Smalls said. “Give one of these kids a college scholarship if I’m good out here. You know, just give back to the college community.” Smalls said.Smalls added that the rebranded event, and the cooperation with city officials, helped create a more positive environment for attendees.WATCH : ILLEGAL STREET RACING TAKEOVER EXPLODES AS THOUSANDS SWARM STREETS, AND I think it’s the best thing to have happened. I love the way that the relationship is built. I understand what’s going on and they understand what’s going on. Smalls added that, through their collaboration, the result was what you see now. He also claimed that the organized festival helped channel the crowds. “If I didn’t do this, they would just pop out here.” There would be no music, no entertainment. There would be nothing for them to enjoy, they’d just feel pushed away. The police presence, that helps you be safe,” Smalls said. Orange Crush is known for bringing massive crowds to the small Georgia beach town. Residents and law enforcement have long been concerned about past violence, arrests and trash left behind in its wake. Smalls said that the police presence helps to keep you safe. Orange Crush, a festival that draws huge crowds, has been a source of controversy for residents and law enforcers alike because of the violence, arrests, and trash that it leaves behind. Residents and visitors began to see an increased presence of law enforcement agencies on the island beginning Thursday, before the festival weekend. Authorities also launched a Road Safety Checkpoint on Highway 80 and carved out emergency lane on main roads in an attempt to maintain order.