PNC Bank Arts Center Criminal Offenses
Going to a concert at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ can be a blast — the open-air amphitheater’s got great acoustics, you can bring your own food and drinks (as long as they’re not in glass containers), and they get some really amazing acts there. But it’s also good to be aware that like any place that draws big crowds, the PNC Bank Arts Center sees its fair share of criminal activity.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most common criminal offenses that happen at the PNC Bank Arts Center, what the consequences can be if you’re caught, and what you can do to have fun at a show without ending up on the wrong side of the law. Let’s dig in!
Contents
Underage Drinking
This one probably isn’t too surprising — when you get 15,000 amped-up music fans together, a lot of whom are teenagers and college kids, underage drinking is bound to happen. Security and police at PNC Bank Arts Center take this issue very seriously though. You can face up to 6 months in jail and fines up to $1000 if you’re under 21 and caught with alcohol. Yikes!
Cops will often patrol the parking lots before a show looking for underage drinkers hanging around their cars. Once you’re inside the venue, they’ll check IDs if you’re trying to buy a beer. And even if you make it through those checkpoints, undercover cops will roam the crowd looking for young’uns who are clearly intoxicated.
So best advice — if you’re not 21, just avoid alcohol altogether at PNC Bank Arts Center. As fun as it might seem to sneak a few beers in, getting busted can ruin your whole night (and possibly a lot more!) It’s just not worth it.
Public Intoxication
Hate to say it, but the cops at PNC Bank Arts Center also keep an eye out for concert-goers who have a few too many drinks, whether they’re of legal age or not. Public intoxication can mean up to 30 days in jail and a fine up to $500 — that hangover is sounding pretty rough.
Security is mainly looking for folks who can’t handle themselves — stumbling around, passing out on the lawn, getting into fights or arguments, puking everywhere (gross). But even if you’re just casually sipping beers all night, they can still cite you if you seem visibly drunk.
So pace yourself if you’re gonna drink. Hydrate with some water between beers. And if you feel like you might be getting too tipsy, slow down or stop. No concert is worth spending the night in the drunk tank!
Drug Possession
Like most concerts, there’s gonna be some pot smoking and other recreational drug use happening at shows at the PNC Bank Arts Center. Security tries to clamp down on it, but in a crowd that big it’s impossible to catch everyone sparking up a joint.
If you do choose to smoke weed or do other drugs at a show, be smart and discreet about it. Getting caught with drugs on you — even small personal use amounts — can lead to criminal charges. Possession of marijuana under 50 grams is a disorderly persons offense in New Jersey, punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a $1000 fine. Heavier drugs like cocaine or ecstasy carry even stiffer penalties.
Many concert-goers think it’s no big deal to sneak in a few joints or pills. But getting arrested can ruin your life, especially if you’re young and have college or job stuff on the horizon. Is it really worth potentially derailing your future for a brief high? Just something to think about.
Disorderly Conduct
When thousands of music fans come together in one place, sometimes things can get a little rowdy. And “disorderly conduct” is one of the main charges police at the PNC Bank Arts Center use to crack down on unruly behavior.
Disorderly conduct covers a wide range of activities — fighting, pushing and shoving in the crowds, throwing stuff on stage or at other concert-goers, refusing to follow directions from security, etc. Even cursing and being verbally abusive toward staff or other guests can count.
Penalties vary based on the offense, but can include fines of $500 to $1000 and up to 30 days in jail. Definitely puts a damper on a fun concert night!
The best policy is just to keep your cool if tensions start to rise. Don’t take the bait if someone is trying to pick a fight with you or otherwise cause drama. Alert security if you see a situation escalating, and let them handle it. Otherwise, you could get swept up in the mess too.
Trespassing
Sneaking into shows and areas you don’t have access to might seem harmless, but it can actually lead to trespassing charges at PNC Bank Arts Center. Scale the fences to get in without a ticket, and you could wind up with a criminal record.
Even if you have a ticket, wandering into restricted backstage areas or trying to get down on the field without proper passes is considered trespassing. And it’s taken seriously — fines up to $2,000 and up to 90 days in jail are possible!
Security is on high alert for gate crashers and trespassers trying to access off-limits zones. Undercover guards even patrol the perimeter of the venue looking for people trying to sneak in.
Save yourself the trouble and just buy a ticket if you want to see the show. Trying to circumvent the rules isn’t worth getting busted!
Theft and Pickpocketing
With so many people packed into one place, petty crimes like pickpocketing and theft are common at large concerts like those at PNC Bank Arts Center. People get distracted by the performances, leave belongings unattended, let their guard down in the party atmosphere — prime conditions for sticky fingers!
Many concert-goers have returned to their seats to find wallets, purses, phones and other valuables have vanished. And good luck tracking down the perps in the sea of people. Even more reason to be vigilant with your stuff and not leave it out of your sight.
If you are a victim of theft, report it to security and police immediately. They likely won’t be able to recover your lost items, but it creates a record of the crime having taken place. The more documentation there is, the more incentive there may be to beef up anti-theft measures at the venue.
DUI After the Show
You probably know getting behind the wheel drunk is a terrible (and illegal) idea. But it still happens far too often after concerts at venues like PNC Bank Arts Center that don’t have nearby public transit options. Don’t let a night of music end in tragedy — plan ahead for a safe ride home!
In New Jersey, even first-time DUI offenses carry heavy penalties: fines up to $1000, license suspension up to 12 months, and up to 30 days in jail. And if you cause an accident while driving impaired, the consequences ratchet up quickly — we’re talking 5+ years in prison and tens of thousands in fines. Plus, you know, the guilt of injuring or killing innocents.
Have a designated driver, call an Uber/Lyft, take the NJ Transit bus from the venue, or just crash at a nearby hotel. Lots of options that don’t involve driving drunk! Enjoy the show, but also be smart and stay safe.
Don’t Let Criminal Activity Ruin the Fun
Well, we’ve covered a lot of the common criminal offenses and penalties that can come up at the PNC Bank Arts Center. But now you know what to watch out for, and can take simple precautions to avoid trouble. Follow the rules, keep your wits about you, and don’t do anything too reckless or illegal.
With some smart planning and common sense, you can have an amazing time seeing your favorite bands at PNC Bank Arts Center without any negative legal consequences. Rock on and stay safe! Let the music be the highlight of your night, not an arrest or court date. You got this!