Peas Gig Sparks Debate

The Black Eyed Peas‘ appearance at the Blast at the Beach festival in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, September 3rd is stirring up residents in more ways than one.

Neighbors of the concert venue attended an August 22nd Charlottetown City Council meeting to protest the event. About 100 police officers and guards as well as fire personnel are reportedly scheduled to handle the estimated 20,000 concertgoers at CDP Entertainment Centre, but neighbors don’t think that’s enough.

A main concern reportedly is what type of crowd the hip-hop group will attract.

“It looks like just because the (August 6th) Barenaked Ladies concert went over well, that everything else was going to be well,” Joanne MacLeod told CBC News. “But you’ve got to realize the Barenaked Ladies had an age group of 15 to 60.

“This concert is going to take 13 to 25. A lot more alcohol, drugs, needles – whatever can take place at any concert,” MacLeod said.

Also on the bill are The Pussycat Dolls and Canadian bands The Philosopher Kings, Stabilo, and Mobile.

Police Deputy Chief Richard Collins said officials structured the festival security plan similar to the one used in Moncton, New Brunswick, last year for The Rolling Stones concert, which drew about 60,000 people, according to CBC News.

City manager Bill Hogan told The Guardian that promoter David Carver of East West Concert Productions is in regular contact with the city regarding ticket sales and is well aware of the 20,000 limit.