Three separate scuffles that played out during the last evening of the Pig Pickin' Festival didn't tarnish the festival's success but they did shut it down two hours earlier than scheduled. According to new Kingstree Police Chief, Eric Williams, juveniles were involved in all three incidents. One altercation ended with a juvenile being taken to an area hospital.

Rumors quickly circulated that the child who was transported by ambulance to a local hospital had subsequently died. Chief Williams dispelled the notion saying the child was treated for minor injuries and released. Williams also said he has since spoken with the parents of the injured youth. "I spoke with his mother - at length," said Williams. "The child is doing fine and the fight is currently under investigation."

Williams said the two disturbances that followed were "spinoffs" and officers were quick to roundup the offenders. "They arrived at the scene and collected the people of interest," said Williams. "They spoke to them, and they were detained until they could find out what was going on and they were released to their parents." No arrests were made during any of the incidents.

Williams said his first experience with the festival has laid the groundwork for improvement. "We've already taken aggressive steps to make sure that police coverage would be increased tremendously for the next event," said Williams. "So security will be overhauled and upgraded. I want the community to see us a bit more visible and accessible when you need us - not to say that we weren't - I like for us to be very visible around certain areas of the festival, that if anyone needs us it wouldn’t be a problem."