This year’s Wertland Street Block Party saw no arrests, according to the Charlottesville Police Department.
Despite no summons being made, five individuals were transported to the hospital for reported alcohol overdoses. On West Main Street, an individual was charged with a DUI — however, Charlottesville Police Public Information Officer Tyler Hawn noted that the incident was unrelated to CPD’s operation on Wertland Street.
In 2018, one individual was arrested for public intoxication while another former University student, Cayden Dalton, was arrested for assault, strangulation and abduction. In May, Dalton — who is no longer enrolled at the University — was sentenced to 18 months in jail on charges of felony abduction and felony unlawful wounding.
Block Party — an annual hosted by student houses and apartments on and near Wertland Street on move-in weekend — is typically met with a noticeable police presence and has garnered national media attention for its unwieldiness despite aggressive discouragement from University officials.
“We had officers on bike and on foot patrol,” Hawn said. “For the most part, there were no issues, and we appreciate the U.Va. community’s cooperation in making this a safe event for everybody who attended that weekend.”
The event is in no way affiliated with the University, and administration works to deter student participation through email warnings and alternative programming. In an email to the University student body, Dean of Students Allen Groves cautioned students against attendance due to “the size of the crowd and the demonstrated potential for negative (and highly serious) incidents to occur.”
Students avoiding Wertland Street had the option to attend a free concert headlined by A$AP Ferg in the Amphitheater as well as an event at the Aquatics and Fitness Center, which featured food trucks, music, crafts and games. University Programs Council organized both events and will host a variety of others — including Rotunda Sing and a performance by comedian Jaboukie Young-White — later this week.
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