Over 600 people flood neighborhood for social media promoted pool party

On June 1, at 7:30 p.m., patrol officers responded to Inheritance Drive in Brandywine following reports of an exceptionally large party, traffic complaints and disorderly behavior.

Upon arrival, officers observed approximately 200 cars parked on the street and in yards throughout the neighborhood, a press release from Charles County Sheriff’s Office said.

Hundreds of people, possibly between 600 to 800, were attempting to attend a pool party at a single-family home, according to the sheriff’s office. The promotors of the party rented the pool from the homeowner and advertised the location on various social media platforms.

Although it has a Brandywine address, the residence appears to be just on the Charles side of the the county line with Prince George’s County.

Security personnel for the promotors began shutting the event down after it became clear there were too many people. Charles sheriff’s officers assisted with traffic control.

During the dispersal, one individual was arrested for an assault that occurred as the event was shutting down, according to the sheriff’s office.

The pool is offered for rent on a site called Swimply, which lets its users rent private pools, courts, backyards and more by the hour. It is posted under the name “Inheritance Paradise” and the listing was still active as of June 5.

“The Charles County Sheriff’s Office recognizes the concerns surrounding promoters renting residential properties in neighborhoods for large scale events which are advertised on the internet. This is an ongoing issue nationwide,” the sheriff’s office release said. “However, addressing this recurring problem requires more than a law enforcement response; it necessitates local and state legislation to effectively manage and or regulate the use of residential properties for promotors of extraordinarily large events.”

The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is working with county officials regarding this particular event and a future event that is currently being promoted, and will continue to work with local authorities and legislators to find long-term solutions that will protect neighborhoods and maintain public safety, the release said.

Currently, “The Melanin Pool Party Part 2” is being promoted, with tickets on sale on Eventbrite. It is scheduled to take place in Brandywine on June 22 at a “secret location.”

Diane Richardson, a spokesperson for the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, said that while the department has been keeping its eye on events like these, there is ultimately a flaw with the county’s permitting process.

The sheriff’s office can only respond to the events and cannot proactively take action, Richardson explained.

Multiple local influencers have been promoting the June 22 event to tens of thousands of followers.

Reed Faasen, the zoning administrator for Charles County, issued a statement on a violation issued to the pool owner, saying, “A 15-day notice of violation puts the property owner on notice that they are in violation of the County Code … If the property owner ceases the activity within the 15-day timeframe, then the case is closed, and no fines are assessed. However, if the property owner ignores the notice of violation and remains in violation at the end of the 15-day timeframe, then we continue pursuing the code case and fines are assessed from the date of the initial 15-day notice of violation.”

“At the end of the day our office is seeking compliance, not fines,” Faasen said.