PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) -
Portland police say they responded to about 10 fights involving large groups of juveniles at the Last Thursday event along Northeast Alberta Street on Thursday night.
The first fight broke out at about 8:15 p.m.
One 5-year-old girl suffered a bloody nose when she was pushed to the ground by fleeing juveniles in one of the fights, police said. Officers followed the juveniles, then returned to speak with the child and her family, but they left the area.
Another fight broke out when officers reopened Northeast Alberta Street to car traffic. Police said they heard reports of a woman defending herself from a group of kids by using pepper spray, but neither the victim or the suspects were identified.
Two juveniles were arrested on disorderly conduct charges as a result of the fights.
Based on an increase in problems at the previous Last Thursday event, police already had increased their staffing from 21 officers to 32 officers, along with three sergeants and one lieutenant.
Once all the fights broke out, another 14 officers and two sergeants were called to respond to help with crowd management.
Last Thursday takes place in the Vernon and Concordia neighborhoods between Northeast 15th and 30th avenues. The monthly arts event started with the intent of celebrating Alberta Street's art galleries.
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