To evaluate the role of situational factors in violence, media reports and relevant literature were reviewed and preliminary interviews with police and other emergency service workers, spectators, town residents, and merchants were conducted. Working with the Victoria Police, the authors developed and implemented a situational crime prevention plan to prevent violence and maintain large crowd numbers attending the event. This plan's effectiveness was assessed by comparing pre/post intervention arrests, spectator satisfaction with the police, and resident satisfaction with the event. The implementation of situational policing tactics significantly reduced violence at the 1989 Motorcycle Grand Prix, and spectator ratings of the police appeared to be favorably affected by the intervention strategy. The authors conclude that violence is preventable at some public events and that associated public satisfaction with the police can be enhanced using consensus management techniques. 33 references, 6 notes, and 3 tables