BATON ROUGE - Hundreds of people flooded West Chimes Street near LSU early Tuesday morning, drawing loud music, yelling and police sirens.

This left nearby businesses and residents with concerns about safety and noise.

The Baton Rouge Police Department is still working to figure out what caused a mass panic that sent the large crowd running. Surveillance video obtained by WBRZ shows the chaotic scene as it unfolded.

According to BRPD Public Information Officer L'Jean McKneely the gathering was not an authorized event. A city-parish ordinance requires permits for large public gatherings such as this one.

"It wasn't a permitted event, but when we got out there, we were able to disperse the crowd," said McKneely.

McKneely said officers also spoke with nearby businesses about the situation.

"We spoke to some of the businesses there so that they're aware that it will not be tolerated," McKneely said.

At the center of the crowd, near LSU's north gate, was the Lotus Hookah Lounge, which stands just off campus. Some neighbors said a party there Monday night drew large crowds, but the Lotus said the crowd was not its responsibility.

The attorney for the Lotus, Hillary Hall Robinson, Esq., released the following statement:

"As legal counsel for the Lotus, I am issuing this statement to clarify our complete separation from the recent crowding events that occurred along West Chimes Street. While the start of the academic year is traditionally a vibrant time near campus, the Lotus did not solicit, organize, or host the large assembly of students outside of their doors. The congestion on surrounding streets was ENTIRELY the result of overflow from the nearby Louisiana State University Residential Life block party—the same official university event that garnered national media attention following an unsanctioned viral video where a patron danced on top of the Pete Maravich Assembly Center (PMAC). Students patronized all businesses on West Chimes
Street, including Murphy’s Bar. While we value being a part of the local campus community, The Lotus remains dedicated to maintaining a safe, responsible environment for our patrons and operating strictly within our standard business practices. However, what will NOT be TOLERATED is the intentional damaging of our reputation as a business by the neighboring
business owners who also play a GIGANTIC role in the influx of patrons."

A nearby apartment owner said noise and crowds have been a problem for months and his tenants have called BRPD multiple times to complain about the noise. One LSU student said safety matters but that noise near a college campus comes with the territory.

"You can't expect everything to be peace and quiet. We can try to be quiet, but at the same time, college students are mostly night owls," Dumebi Nutomi said.

With another party planned at the Lotus on Friday night, BRPD said officers will be dispatched if needed to disperse crowds.