People of Galveston

CULTURE CLASH (FEATURE) people of GALVESTON

In honor of the of night life, Culture Culture Clash asked professionals who specifically work at night, “What is night, the craziest night craziest on the job you can you remember?”

Name: Angela Crumpet Profession: ER Nurse

I cannot repeat my craziest nigh as an ER nurse as some of those memories are too painful to discuss. I can discuss one of the funniest memories I have. Two gangbangers were shooting at each other and one got hit in the leg. The bullet went through the tissue and blew off one of the guy’s testicles. Although I know it was painful, I assure you he wasn’t on his way to Sunday service.

Name: Jackson M Graves

Profession: EMT-B

Galveston’s nightlife leaves no shortage of things to do for first responders here on the island.

The craziest night shift I’ve had was during Biker Week. Events involving alcohol and automobiles/motorcycles is never a great mix.

The worst I had was a patient that flew about 15-20 feet after hitting their motorcycle on a car. Nothing grossly traumatic about how they presented surprisingly, thanks to their helmet.

Then about an hour later responding to an assault. Then immediately after that going to another motor vehicle accident!

I think a lot of it stems from thinking of fun over safety, which is a mindset I’d like to see change in the next coming events.

Name: Officer Sir

Profession: GPD Officer

I won’t write about the craziest thing I’ve witnessed while working nights on patrol in Galveston, which conjure memories I’d like to not relive, but I can certainly provide insight into the nightlife many of you reading do not normally experience; that nightlife which our men and women working those long 12-hour graveyard shifts experience almost daily. With the exception of a few really cold winter nights, there’s usually something crazy going on while the majority are at home in bed.

Certain neighborhoods are known for their gang/gun violence once the sun goes down. The downtown district sees its fair share of disturbances fueled by alcohol…especially when the bars close at 2:00am. The Seawall at night in peak tourism season is riddled with drunk drivers, disturbances, domestic violence issues in the hotels, suicides, robberies, sexual assaults, narcotics, fill in the blank… Our in-town neighborhoods are hit up nightly with vehicle burglaries, items stolen from properties, acts of criminal mischief, garage burglaries, bicycle thefts, stolen vehicles, and catalytic converter thefts. Occasionally while our officers are performing “routine” traffic stops they turn out to be not so routine, leading to intense situations. We see mangled bodies, gunshot victims, battered spouses. We go hands-on with naked men high on PCP. We transport drunk and high individuals in our patrol units while they’re covered in vomit and feces. The smell of stagnant urine is normal. We talk people off ledges and when we can’t get there in time, we clean up the mess. We apply tourniquets, perform CPR, and aid in mental health assistance. We run after people, jump fences, fight, pursue stolen vehicles, and search large abandoned buildings for trespassers with only the light of our flashlights. There’s always something going on in Galveston at night for the police to address.

While Galveston has a lot to offer for those seeking an enjoyable nightlife, there’s also a nightlife on this island that’s more sinister in nature. Like I was always told as a child, “Nothing good ever happens after midnight.”

Name: Michael Snover

Profession: Bar Tender

The craziest night I ever experienced has to be the 2013 Mardi Gras riot. It was complete chaos. It was really shocking to see that many people completely going crazy. If you didn’t see it just look it up on YouTube.

I chose this memory because it totally changed Mardi Gras safety protocols for the event and for the way bars operate during major events. Now Mardi Gras can be enjoyed traditionally in a safer atmosphere.

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