Cliff Buchan
News EditorPolice calls were increased in the July 1-4 period compared to 2003, but all in all, Chief of Police Clark Quiring says this yearís celebration went well.
During the four-day celebration period, Forest Lake officers responded to 232 calls. That compares to 190 calls during the same four-day period last year. Police did not tally their call total for Monday, July 5, the official holiday.
This yearís celebration was the first for Quiring who was hired Jan. 1 to replace Dave Schwartz who retired after 34 years on the force, 25 as chief.
While the department was busy, Quiring said he was impressed with how the celebration was run and in general how people behaved.
ìIt was a big family event,î he said. ìAs an outsider watching the celebration for the first time, it was pretty cool.î
Quiring said he was impressed with the well-run carnival operation and generally respectful people during the parade and fireworks display on July 4. He said there were no altercations over parade watching locations and the crowds leaving the beach area Sunday night were well behaved.
Police stay busy
Forest Lake police did stay busy during the holiday. Quiring said 12-14 officers were on duty each night of the celebration and foot patrols were utilized, including some plain clothes officers.
Below is a general listing of where many of the 232 calls originated.
ï 16 calls for disorderly conduct, fights and domestics. Police arrested a half dozen people who were taken to jail.
ï15 property damage and personal injury accidents. One Forest Lake motorcycle officer was treated and released at the Wyoming hospital for scrapes and a hyper-extended knee after he was forced to put his cycle down to avoid a vehicle collision at SW 12th St. and 3rd Ave. at 12:30 p.m. July 3.
ï9 medicals.
ï4 underage drinking tickets.
ï23 fireworks complaints. ìWe gave out a lot of verbal warnings,î the chief said
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