Georgia State Patrol Seizes Modified Machine Gun During Tybee Beach Crackdown
A massive Orange Crush crowd returned to Tybee Island this weekend, ending in 26 arrests and the seizure of a modified machine gun as authorities tested an expanded crackdown.
The annual beach gathering, now branded “Crush Reloaded,” drew tens of thousands, putting pressure on security plans designed after years of controversy tied to violence and overcrowding.
According to Tybee Island Police and the Georgia State Patrol, officers made 26 arrests between April 17 and April 19, issued 100 traffic citations, and responded to nearly 300 calls for service. Five firearms were seized, including one weapon converted to fire automatically.
That weapon was recovered during a traffic stop, with multiple arrests tied to the incident, according to police.
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“It’s pretty similar to what we did last year,” Mayor Brian West said, pointing to expanded safety protocols already in place.
The numbers suggest a controlled outcome compared to prior years, including 54 arrests in 2024, but the presence of a modified automatic weapon raises new concerns about what attendees are bringing into the area.
City leaders have argued that tighter enforcement and coordination with organizers are helping reduce disorder, especially after past incidents involving gunfire and crowd panic.
Still, officials have not released full details on the charges tied to the 26 arrests, leaving open questions about how serious the incidents were beyond the firearm seizures.
Authorities are expected to continue reviewing the weekend’s activity, with future planning likely to focus on whether the current crackdown model can sustain safety as crowds continue to grow.
For now, the event appears calmer on the surface, but not without warning signs.
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