13 arrests made in city during Macker weekend; parking citations increased.

LUDINGTON — Thirteen arrests were made over in the City of Ludington over the weekend, several related to the Gus Macker basketball tournament, Police Chief Mark Barnett reported.

“The Gus Macker tournament this year went as smoothly as any I can remember,” Barnett stated in a report to Mayor Ryan Cox and Ludington City Council. “Officers and members of the local Macker committee believed that overall the crowd was orderly and play progressed very well.”

Barnett said enforcement of the Gus Macker rules, city ordinances and state laws regarding alcohol use by banded players, as well as proactive player notification about the alcohol ban, continues to result in “a noticeable difference in the park during the event as well as overall conditions in the campgrounds and downtown area.”

Law enforcement made nine alcohol-related arrests, including four arrests for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. There were also four arrests for disorderly persons, seven traffic citations, one vehicle towed, two wristband seized and five violations of swimming outside the designated swim area at Stearns Park.

There was an increase in parking citations from last year: 138 issued this year and 59 issued in 2014.