After a busy holiday period for Forest Lake police, Chief Clark Quiring said this week local authorities will use the months ahead to deal with celebration problems.

A bulk of the complaints sent to city police involved fireworks and noise in general, Quiring said.

During the five-day Independence Day celebration holiday from June 29 through July 4, police received 31 fireworks complaints and 11 general noise complaints.

Authorities are investigating the possibility that fireworks that exploded in a ditch started a fire that spread to the Forest Lake Sportsmenís Club building on the northwestern edge of the city. Firefighters were able to control the blaze but had to break down the gate to enter the grounds.

For the 2007 celebration, Quiring said local authorities will evaluate public drinking behavior and the use of Lakeside Memorial Park.

Park problems centered around late night use of the public facility which technically closes at 10 p.m. With the town having many evening visitors during the celebration period, officers were being lenient in enforcement.

The park also saw a number of overnight campers who pitched tents. For the future, Quiring said, the city will need to post signs indicating that overnight camping is not allowed.

Quiring said officers also encountered numerous visitors who were in possession of alcoholic beverages in public areas where they are not allowed. In most cases, the drinks or beers were dumped out.

Police did write 10 tickets for alcohol-related offenses including possession in public and public intoxication. Three individuals with blood-alcohol counts of more than .388 were taken to detox centers, the chief said.

Police also arrested three individuals for driving while intoxicated.

The chief said tougher enforcement may be necessary to help eliminate alcohol being consumed and possessed in public places.

Another topic for city official discussion, he said, is the early placement of tarps, blankets and chairs along the parade route. Some spots were observed as early as Sunday for the Tuesday parade.

Quiring said parade spots seem to be reserved earlier and earlier each year. Police also had reports of some chairs being stolen this year, he said.

Other reports

The following is a general list of other major incidents handled by police during the celebration period.

ïDisorderly conduct and fights, 12.

ïAssaults, 13.

ïMotor vehicle accidents, 15.

ïDrug related offenses, 5.

Top of Page

Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
Fax 651-464-4605