Bonnaroo blitz: Sheriff says officers will keep high profile again

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

MATHENY

After a court showdown ended with the dismissal of numerous tickets issued to Bonneroo-goers last year, Sheriff Jackie Matheny said his men will again be maintaining a high profile this week with thousands of travelers expected to pass through Warren County.

“It would be a travesty for us not to be out there monitoring the area,” said Matheny. “We always try to step up our patrols on special events and this will be no exception.”

Matheny’s statement comes after General Sessions Judge Larry Ross threw out 24 citations issued to Bonneroo-goers last year when defense attorneys successfully argued authorities had profiled out-of-town vehicles. Most of the traffic stops were made along Highway 55 near the Coffee County line, used by some festival-goers as a back way into the event.

The citations which were thrown out ranged from speeding to drug possession charges. Several area merchants feared the alleged targeting of out-of-town vehicles might hurt trade and tourism in the area.

The music festival, held on this side of Manchester, brings in around 100,000 visitors. This year’s installment is this weekend, with campers to begin streaming in today and tomorrow.

“A lot of times, having high visibility will deter problems,” Matheny said. “We’d prefer everything remain peaceful, but at the same time we aren’t going to just turn our head if someone is out there breaking the law. We want to encourage tourism, but we also want people visiting here to behave.”