On Wednesday, November 25, 2020 from approximately 4 PM to approximately 10 PM, the Frederick Police Department conducted a special assignment in the downtown area, as we do every year on this night. Fourteen officers spread out across several blocks of North Market Street, South Market Street, and East Patrick Street. These officers were in addition to normal Patrol Division staffing and were tasked with responding to any issues in their assigned areas. FPD carries out this assignment every year due to hundreds of people visiting downtown Frederick on the night before Thanksgiving, primarily to consume alcohol. Typically, these crowds bring significant noise and disorder and officers make numerous arrests for assaults and disorderly conduct. This year, the city did not experience the usual crowds or any of the issues associated with large numbers of young people consuming alcohol.
Inspectors from the Frederick County Liquor Board and the Office of the State Fire Marshal are generally out on this evening every year making checks of bars and restaurants to guard against overcrowding and overserving of alcohol. This year, due to recent executive orders limiting occupancy of eating establishments and imposing a 10 PM closing time, the Frederick County Health Department participated in checks as well.
Compliance checks this year resulted in no observed violations, unlike past years. The above listed parties conducted checks from approximately 8 PM to approximately 10 PM. There were relatively few people out and about downtown. Officers on the special assignment encountered no issues, and we received no complaints.
We have also received media inquiries about Frosty Friday. In the past, FPD has not conducted any special operation related to this event, since it does not involve the rowdiness, widespread alcohol consumption, and general disorder associated with the night before Thanksgiving. Therefore, we did not plan any special operation this year either.
For the entire 24 hour period of November 27, 2020, FPD responded to 183 calls for service. By way of comparison, FPD responded to 414 calls for service over the 24 hour period of November 29, 2019. We received no COVID-related complaints and took no enforcement action related to COVID during Frosty Friday.
Additional questions may be directed to Lt. Corbett at 301-600-6235.