FORT SMITH - People in Fort Smith began lining up long before the gates opened at Kay Rodgers Park. Many were tired and frustrated by the time they exited the arena hours later. 5NEWS looks at the challenges officials faced today.
Health officials and volunteers began the day behind; a long line had already formed and they struggled to catch up. But Jo Wester with the Sebastian County Health Unit said by mid-morning they had gotten into a routine and things were running much more smoothly.
"We got here at 6:30, quarter to 7," Mary Atkerson told 5NEWS while sitting in her vehicle around 8 am.
But police have said some showed up as early as 3 am. One family we talked to arrived early and waited in line for five hours. When asked if they would do it again:
"To be quite honest ,no. I'll pay for it next year," Lynda Burns said.
But others felt it was well worth it.
"I went through this last year, and I think it's a terrific way to get a shot and I couldn't wait for it this year," Atkerson told 5NEWS. Her advice to those in line? Just be patient.
Capt. David Overton with Fort Smith police says there were more cars than they first anticipated, but they just learned to go with the flow. Many cars tried to get into the main line on Midland from side streets.
"It's not against the law for someone to let them in. It's not a crime. It's aggravating. We've had several folks complain about cutting in line and we can't be the police for fairness today we have to do traffic," Capt. Overton said.
"We have a large crowd but we anticipated a large crowd we've worked real hard with the Department of Emergency Management and the Fort Smith Police Department to conquer these traffic issues ," Jo Wester with the Sebastian County Health Unit said.
Workers and volunteers did their best to get people's paperwork processed before they arrived at the vaccination station. There, they split into four lines. People passed the time in different ways.
"Just talk watch movies on his ipod," one 18-year-old said referring to the others in the car with him.
But most hadn't planned or prepared for the long wait which was especially tough on kids.
"Inside the car? No, it was pretty bad with them fighting," Robyn Wilson said of her two boys. "Even with snacks," her mom Lynda Burns chimed in.
Health officials and volunteers began the day behind; a long line had already formed and they struggled to catch up. But Jo Wester with the Sebastian County Health Unit said by mid-morning they had gotten into a routine and things were running much more smoothly.
"We got here at 6:30, quarter to 7," Mary Atkerson told 5NEWS while sitting in her vehicle around 8 am.
But police have said some showed up as early as 3 am. One family we talked to arrived early and waited in line for five hours. When asked if they would do it again:
"To be quite honest ,no. I'll pay for it next year," Lynda Burns said.
But others felt it was well worth it.
"I went through this last year, and I think it's a terrific way to get a shot and I couldn't wait for it this year," Atkerson told 5NEWS. Her advice to those in line? Just be patient.
Capt. David Overton with Fort Smith police says there were more cars than they first anticipated, but they just learned to go with the flow. Many cars tried to get into the main line on Midland from side streets.
"It's not against the law for someone to let them in. It's not a crime. It's aggravating. We've had several folks complain about cutting in line and we can't be the police for fairness today we have to do traffic," Capt. Overton said.
"We have a large crowd but we anticipated a large crowd we've worked real hard with the Department of Emergency Management and the Fort Smith Police Department to conquer these traffic issues ," Jo Wester with the Sebastian County Health Unit said.
Workers and volunteers did their best to get people's paperwork processed before they arrived at the vaccination station. There, they split into four lines. People passed the time in different ways.
"Just talk watch movies on his ipod," one 18-year-old said referring to the others in the car with him.
But most hadn't planned or prepared for the long wait which was especially tough on kids.
"Inside the car? No, it was pretty bad with them fighting," Robyn Wilson said of her two boys. "Even with snacks," her mom Lynda Burns chimed in.
