UMass Keeps Blarney Blowout Calm

University officials reportedly spent $305,000 on the concert that featured Ke$ha, Juicy J. and Ludacris, another $20,000 on police mutual aid, $3,800 for parking personnel and signage and $3,000 for ambulance staffing for about 5,200 attendees, according to the local Republican newspaper.

Police report six arrests and 13 summonses primarily for open container and minors in possession of alcohol.

That’s a large reduction from last year’s 70 arrests, summonses and general rowdiness, thanks to more than 200 officers from 14 counties keeping the crowds in line, the paper said.

Student affairs vice chancellor Enku Gelaye said a team effort between authorities and students made the event a success.

“Implementing recommendations from the Davis Report, we invested significant time and resources up front with a focus on prevention to address a long-standing pattern of student disturbances,” Gelaye said in a statement. “This is an investment in student success. We are at the beginning of this process and we will be steadfast in our efforts. But we are on the right path as an engaged community.”

Just days after last year’s event where more than 70 were arrested or cited, UMass Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy hired former Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis to review what happened and to offer strategies for prevention, the Republican said.

Last year about 4,000 congregated in North Amherst during the Blarney Blowout, and police used pepper spray to disperse the crowds. This year, with police deployed early in the day, crowds were prevented from gathering and there were few arrests.