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Virginia Beach Beach Week not without violence despite increased security

Posted at 10:00 PM, Apr 28, 2014
and last updated 2014-04-28 22:01:19-04

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WTVR) -- A fight in Virginia Beach Saturday night right in front of a news camera.

The fight shown in the video was filmed at the Dairy Queen on Atlantic Avenue, just feet from the North Beach.

This past Friday and Saturday was "Beach Weekend,” an annual gathering of college students at the ocean front for parties.

Last year was violent with shootings and stabbings, so this year police were ready for the crowds.  Last year saw a weekend of violence that ended up in 148 arrests.

There were more than 800 officers were on duty; some were posted at most every intersection to help control the crowds and the traffic. Others were on their bikes or walking, keeping an eye for anything out of the ordinary.

Oceanfront businesses hired extra security as well.

During last year’s beach weekend, police reported three shootings, three stabbings and four robberies.

They haven't released the exact number of calls or arrests yet for 2014, but say this year was drastically different. By Saturday night there had been at least 15 arrests made.