An unauthorized pop up party in a Lewisburg subdivision over the weekend gained the attention of law enforcement and brought neighbors to Monday’s DeSoto County Board of Supervisors meeting to ask for help.
The party, posted on Facebook, took place in the back end of the Creekside Estates neighborhood on Turkey Creek Drive and it drew a lot of partygoers. Neighbors estimated between 800-1,000 people showed up, resulting in cars being parked up and down the street, in people’s yards and grass, and back to the Lewisburg Water Association building at state Highway 305.
“There were drugs and people brandishing firearms, loitering, litter, you name it,” said Michael Leathers, who lives in the neighborhood. “It was quite a scene. It was chaos.”
Leathers said the neighbors were afraid for their safety, feeling if there was a medical emergency, they wouldn’t be able to get to the hospital or get an ambulance to the scene. He said cars were parked from the end of the street all the back to Highway 305, about a mile from the party scene.
Deputies were called, but Leathers said it took some time for them to arrive.
“We started calling the Sheriff’s Department about 5:30 p.m., and it wasn’t until about 8:30-9 p.m. when the deputies started getting people out of the area,” Leathers said.
When deputies did arrive, they quickly worked to break up and disperse the partygoers, as about 40 deputies came to address the situation. Sheriff Thomas Tuggle said the organizers of the party were arrested and taken to jail that night.
“That group got the message that you don’t come here with foolishness,” Tuggle said. “The best way to handle this is to be systematic and we have to be on point on how we address this issue, because three, five, eight deputies are not going to be able to do that.”
Tuggle said roadblocks were set up and about 15 arrests were made for drugs. He added special investigators are monitoring the group that held this event and will know ahead of time if it’s attempted again.
Board members said they would consider civil litigation against unauthorized commercial operations in residential areas along with an increase in patrols to prevent future incidents. It was pointed out the party was not a fundraiser or a private party, people paid $20 each to attend. Leathers asked for increased patrols for the next few weeks in the subdivision.
Board president Mark Gardner said an event like this was a first for him.
“This is uncharted water for us, but it is not now,” Gardner said. “We’re now monitoring social media for anything else like this that might come about. We’re going to nip it in the bud.”
Gardner also expressed his support for the sheriff and said whatever resources Tuggle’s office needs to deal with the issue will be provided.
