Deputy Chief Troy Schulze of the Lake Wales Police Department notes that even with thousands of spectators and participants in attendance at the Lake Wales 2012 Mardi Gras, police had “very few problems.”

Schulze notes this could be credited to early planning, the Krewes attention to spectator safety, public education of rules/laws, proactive law enforcement, and a cooperative crowd.

Police note issues “needing to be addressed for future events” include education of business owners regarding customers leaving their businesses with open containers of alcoholic beverages. Schulze notes the “beer garden” will need better security to prevent people from stepping over the low plastic fencing, and to prevent alcoholic beverages from being passed back and forth over the low plastic fence.

“A higher, more stable fence such as chain link will better control these issues,” he said.

Police enforced local alcohol ordinances in two ways during the Mardi Gras event.

Numerous people, Schulze said, were directed “in the way of verbal warnings” back into businesses or the “beer garden” with their open alcoholic beverage containers.

As far as stricter enforcement, Schulze said two adults younger than 21 years of age were issued notices to appear in court by Agents from Alcohol, Beverage, and Tobacco for being in possession of alcoholic beverages.

Nicole M. Enterlein, a 19-year-old Babson Park resident, and Caleb R. Pickrell, a 20-year-old Lake Wales resident, were issued these notices to appear in court. ABT Agents also issued three civil citations to minors who were in possession of tobacco. Lake Wales Police arrested two people, according to reports: Carroll Baxter, 29, Lake Wales, was arrested for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Baxter had allegedly been stealing beads from one of the floats. Police say Baxter was told to get away from the float by one of the Krewe members and added Baxter took a threatening stance as if he was going to fight the Krewe member.

“Police saw what was going on, and Baxter was detained by police during the investigation,” Schulze said.

“Due to the noise level, it was difficult to verbally communicate. Officers who were detaining Baxter thought the investigation was over and they released him. When the investigating officer saw Baxter walking away he yelled at him to stop and Baxter fled on foot. Baxter resisted arrest but was taken into custody and transported to the Polk County Jail,” Schulze adds.

In another incident, Misty Hamilton, 31, Lake Wales, was arrested due to having an active warrant for her as a result of a previous charge for driving on a suspended license.

Reports note that during a search after her arrest, she was found to be in possession of illegal prescription medications, methamphetamines, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.

Hamilton was booked into the Polk County Jail charged for the warrant and drug charges, according to police.