Arrests, summonses issued on Irish Day

The Long Beach Police Department arrested approximately 12 people on Irish Day last Saturday, most of which were disorderly conduct charges.

Deputy Inspector Bruce Meyer of the Long Beach Police Department said that of the arrests, seven were for disorderly conduct, while other arrests were for DWI and criminal mischief. Meyer said that there was also one arrest for assault, and could not say if all arrests took place in the West End.

Police said 63 summonses were issued as well, mainly alcohol-related and for littering and public urination. Meyer said that Irish Day drew thousands of people, and that he felt police did an excellent job in maintaining order and “setting a tone” this year.

“We had a few disorderly conduct arrests, but I really do think we did a good job,” Meyer said. “You have thousands of people in one spot, and people are coming down to have a good time. That’s why we have a zero tolerance for alcohol.”

He added: “You’re managing the crowds attending bars and restaurants, and we set a tone — people knew they had to behave themselves.”

While he was not able to provide an exact number for how many police officers were on hand for the festival and parade event, Meyer said “all available officers were working that day.” Both uniformed and plainclothes officers were on duty, along with mounted, motorcycle and foot patrols across the West End.

“We have a full compliment of men out there,” he said. “We had our foot patrol on the main parade route. We had bicycle patrol on the side streets, patrols were on north and south side of Beech Street to police the side streets. We do what we can to ensure for safety.”

Long Beach Fire Department Chief Richard Corbett said that an ambulance was stationed down at the event, and that for the most part, few calls came into the fire department.

“We handled a couple of minor cases,” he said, “a couple of people fell, but nothing major.”

For many West End residents, the quality-of-life incidents that follow the parade — the crowds, noise and public urination — are often an issue each year.

Meyer said that more than 100 barricades were put in place this year along West End streets in order to deter revelers from “spilling into” residential neighborhoods. Many barricades, he said, were situated near the bar areas.

“We try to utilize them — they’re very effective,” he said. “We put them in areas where there’s a tremendous amount of pedestrian activity.”

Meyer said that police always try to plan ahead, and met with bar and restaurant owners and worked with members of the community to ensure for a safe and fun event for all.

“It’s supposed to be a family event,” Meyer said. “We try to get things in place and just try to keep everyone off the side streets.

Others, including Bob Johnson, owner of the Cabana, found the event to be safe and enjoyable. Johnson said that the parade and festival made for a “great day all around for the West End” and said restaurants, including his own, were booming with business.

“We were mobbed, it was fantastic,” he said. “No problems whatsoever. We didn’t even have an argument here—everyone enjoyed themselves.”

West End resident Linda Alper said that she didn’t notice “any trouble” during the afternoon, though she said she remained indoors during the evening. Alper said she found this year’s event to be shorter than usual, but that many, especially children, seemed to have had a good time.

“I thought there were less vendors up and down the street,” she said. “But I will say, the kids had a good time. They really did.