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Booze Banned After 2 Die, 83 Arrested At N.J. Concert Drinking In Parking Lot Banned POSTED: 9:25 am EDT August 17, 2007 Authorities are taking a tougher approach after a crackdown failed to stop underage drinking at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel. Effective Friday, alcohol is banned in the parking lot of the central New Jersey entertainment venue. The ban comes a day after two people died and more than 80 people were arrested Thursday night at an Ozzfest concert. Effective Friday, alcohol is banned in the parking lot of the central New Jersey entertainment venue. The ban comes a day after two people died and more than 80 people were arrested Thursday night at an Ozzfest concert. Police are investigating the deaths of two men, identified as Raymond Guarino, 26, of Forked River and Patrick Norris, 24, of Coram, N.Y. Police are investigating the deaths of two men, identified as Raymond Guarino, 26, of Forked River and Patrick Norris, 24, of Coram, N.Y. After possibly taking drugs and alcohol, both passed out in separate incidents at the concert, went into cardiac arrest and later died. State Police said the men were believed to have ingested cocaine, marijuana and alcohol prior to their deaths, and troopers who searched Guarino's vehicle found small amounts of both drugs. After possibly taking drugs and alcohol, both passed out in separate incidents at the concert, went into cardiac arrest and later died. State Police said the men were believed to have ingested cocaine, marijuana and alcohol prior to their deaths, and troopers who searched Guarino's vehicle found small amounts of both drugs. Eighty-three people were arrested during the concert; 59 were charged with underage drinking. Other charges included distribution of drugs, lewd behavior and providing alcohol to a minor. Eighty-three people were arrested during the concert; 59 were charged with underage drinking. Other charges included distribution of drugs, lewd behavior and providing alcohol to a minor. Authorities said the Ozzfest incidents were the latest in a long string of problems this season that led them to ban alcohol in the center's parking lot. Authorities said the Ozzfest incidents were the latest in a long string of problems this season that led them to ban alcohol in the center's parking lot. "This is a dramatic step to have to take, but one that is necessary given the potential consequences of such risky behavior," Gov. Jon S. Corzine said Friday. "This is a dramatic step to have to take, but one that is necessary given the potential consequences of such risky behavior," Gov. Jon S. Corzine said Friday. The first show to be affected will be a concert featuring Velvet Revolver, Alice in Chains and Kill Hannah, scheduled for Friday night. Signs on the Garden State Parkway will notify concertgoers of the alcohol ban. The first show to be affected will be a concert featuring Velvet Revolver, Alice in Chains and Kill Hannah, scheduled for Friday night. Signs on the Garden State Parkway will notify concertgoers of the alcohol ban. Joe Orlando, a spokesman for the Turnpike Authority, which owns the arts center, said the ban is effective no matter a person's age, so even those who can drink legally cannot bring alcohol onto the site; in the past, people over the legal drinking age have been allowed to bring alcohol to the center's parking lot and tailgate before and during concerts. Joe Orlando, a spokesman for the Turnpike Authority, which owns the arts center, said the ban is effective no matter a person's age, so even those who can drink legally cannot bring alcohol onto the site; in the past, people over the legal drinking age have been allowed to bring alcohol to the center's parking lot and tailgate before and during concerts. Depending on their age, violators face fines, expulsion from the premises and arrest. Depending on their age, violators face fines, expulsion from the premises and arrest. Alcohol will still be sold inside the center, which is located near the shore. Alcohol will still be sold inside the center, which is located near the shore. Kevin Coyne, of Sewell, N.J., who attended Ozzfest, said Friday that the all-day concert didn't seem particularly out of control to him, although he left around 5:30 p.m. and didn't spend much time in the parking lot. Kevin Coyne, of Sewell, N.J., who attended Ozzfest, said Friday that the all-day concert didn't seem particularly out of control to him, although he left around 5:30 p.m. and didn't spend much time in the parking lot. "To me it was just a normal concert. I didn't see anything that was out of the ordinary," said Coyne, who said the alcohol ban wouldn't keep him from going to shows in the future. "To me it was just a normal concert. I didn't see anything that was out of the ordinary," said Coyne, who said the alcohol ban wouldn't keep him from going to shows in the future. Coyne said many concertgoers seem to spend more time in the parking lot drinking than inside the venue watching the acts. Coyne said many concertgoers seem to spend more time in the parking lot drinking than inside the venue watching the acts. "People get there bright and early and get their party started," Coyne. "People get there bright and early and get their party started," Coyne. Another concertgoer said the alcohol ban might keep him from going to shows in the future. Another concertgoer said the alcohol ban might keep him from going to shows in the future. "My only chance to get drunk is in the parking lot, and they took that away from us," said Avi Miller, of Elizabeth, N.J. who said the beer prices inside the concert venue are too high. "My only chance to get drunk is in the parking lot, and they took that away from us," said Avi Miller, of Elizabeth, N.J. who said the beer prices inside the concert venue are too high. "They do go around the parking lot asking people for IDs. I don't understand why that's not enough," said Miller, who was at the Ozzfest show. "They do go around the parking lot asking people for IDs. I don't understand why that's not enough," said Miller, who was at the Ozzfest show. Miller had been planning to attend Friday night's Velvet Revolver show, but instead plans to go to Camden's Tweeter Center on the Waterfront on Monday, where the band was playing and alcohol is still allowed in the parking lot. Miller had been planning to attend Friday night's Velvet Revolver show, but instead plans to go to Camden's Tweeter Center on the Waterfront on Monday, where the band was playing and alcohol is still allowed in the parking lot. Orlando said state police have arrested more than 200 people at shows at the center in the past 10 days. Orlando said state police have arrested more than 200 people at shows at the center in the past 10 days. "We've tried to deal with it by enforcing the law, and people have thumbed their nose at it," he said. "So we're taking the only action we can." "We've tried to deal with it by enforcing the law, and people have thumbed their nose at it," he said. "So we're taking the only action we can." Some of the arrests Thursday also involved unruly behavior in the mosh pit. Concertgoers were charged with assault if they were flailing arms or legs in a way that would hurt others. Some of the arrests Thursday also involved unruly behavior in the mosh pit. Concertgoers were charged with assault if they were flailing arms or legs in a way that would hurt others. Ozzfest is a tour of heavy-metal bands started by rocker Ozzy Osbourne. Over the years it has showcased a number of up-and-coming bands, including Linkin Park and Incubus. Ozzfest is a tour of heavy-metal bands started by rocker Ozzy Osbourne. Over the years it has showcased a number of up-and-coming bands, including Linkin Park and Incubus. Authorities launched a crackdown on drinking after the season's first show in May because 13 young patrons had to be taken to hospitals with alcohol-related illnesses. The youngest was 11 years old. Authorities launched a crackdown on drinking after the season's first show in May because 13 young patrons had to be taken to hospitals with alcohol-related illnesses. The youngest was 11 years old. More than 90 patrons were arrested at the O.A.R concert on Saturday and 54 people were arrested at the Incubus show last Friday. More than 90 patrons were arrested at the O.A.R concert on Saturday and 54 people were arrested at the Incubus show last Friday. IMAGES IN THE NEWS © 2007 by WNBC.com The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Two men died and 83 were arrested at the New Jersey PNC Arts center, Holmdel the scene of this year's New Jersey Ozzfest, an annual travelling hard rock and heavy metal show. This year's Ozzfest includes Lordi, Static-X, Lamb of God and the show's namesake, Ozzy Osbourne.

Raymond Guarino, 26, of Forked River, New Jersey collapsed at around 3:15 p.m. and went into cardiac arrest, following which he was resuscitated. He later died in a local hospital. It is believed his death was the result of his consumption of  cocaine, marijuana and alcohol. An autopsy will be conducted to confirm the cause of death.

Patrick Norris, 24 of Coram collapsed around 10:00 p.m. and was transported to the same hospital in cardiac arrest; he was pronounced dead on arrival. Police believe he too had consumed a combination of cocaine, marijuana and alcohol.

In addition, New Jersey police arrested 83 people on various drugs and alcohol charges, including underage drinking, as well as charges of drug possession, assault, resisting arrest, defiant trespass and lewd behavior. The arrests are the result of a crackdown started after 13 youths were hospitalised at the venue, the youngest being 11 years-old. The crowd at today's event was too large for the 17,000 seat venue to accommodate, due mainly to the decision to make Ozzfest a free event this year.

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority, who owns the venue, has imposed a permanent ban on consuming alcohol in the car park of the site. Previously, patrons had been allowed to bring their own alcohol and consume it there.

Police arrested over 90 people on Saturday at an O.A.R concert, and 54 on Friday during an Incubus show. A Velvet Revolver concert is scheduled for later tonight. Over 300 people have been arrested at the site this week.