Arrests down, but Fourth keeps cops busy

The search for illegal fireworks, several holiday party arrests, a half dozen missing pet calls and a checkpoint for driving under the influence colored the Fourth of July weekend for area law enforcement.

Four people were arrested over the weekend in Glenn County for driving under the influence of alcohol, and four more arrested for alcohol-related disorderly conduct between Friday and Monday, according to Glenn County Jail booking records.

Those numbers were down from last year and down significantly from the same holiday weekend in 2008 when more than 25 arrests were made.

“It tells us people are getting the message and not making the decision to drink and drive,” said Sgt. Tony Odell of the Willows office of the California Highway Patrol.

The CHP, in conjunction with Willows and Orland police, conducted a DUI checkpoint Saturday night on Wood Street in Willows. No DUI or alcohol-related arrests were made and only three vehicle citations were issued, Odell said.

“It’s good because we don’t want to see drunk drivers,” Odell said.

About 336 vehicles were screened at the checkpoint between 6:30 and 10:30 p.m.
The “Avoid the Five” checkpoint was paid for by a grant from the state Office of Traffic Safety.

Sheriff Larry Jones reported that more than a half dozen family pets were reported missing or loose on Sunday as fireworks shows scared the animals into running away and kept animal control officers bouncing all around the county.

“It was a very busy night,” Jones said.

Sheriff’s deputies were also busy on county waterways, making five rescues on the Sacramento River on Sunday as hundreds poured into the river to float on innertubes between Hamilton City and Scott’s Landing in Butte County.

One burglary report from a vehicle parked near the river was investigated Sunday. Audrey Ellis, 19, reported more than $1,445 in cash, credit cards and property were stolen just after 10:30 p.m.

There were two reports of a possible gang fight in the 700 block of South Butte Street in Willows following the fireworks show and one report indicated there may have been firearms present, according to police reports.

Willows police and sheriff’s deputies responded to find more than 100 people gathered near 750 S. Butte St., but all reportedly denied there was a fight.

Law enforcement agencies were also kept busy over the weekend searching for illegal fireworks displays, several of which could be seen clearly from just about any street in Willows, Fire Capt. Skip Sykes said.

“That kept us moving, but all in all, it shaped up to be a nice holiday weekend.”