No major incidents marred the daylight celebrations of the
Fourth of July in Morgan Hill, according to Morgan Hill Police
Cmdr. Joe Sampson.
“So far, things seem to be running as smoothly as can be
expected,” Sampson said late Monday afternoon. “It’s been fairly
quiet. We have a lot of officers out there, working the various
events and handling calls for service. Right now, things are going
as planned.”
No major incidents marred the daylight celebrations of the Fourth of July in Morgan Hill, according to Morgan Hill Police Cmdr. Joe Sampson.
“So far, things seem to be running as smoothly as can be expected,” Sampson said late Monday afternoon. “It’s been fairly quiet. We have a lot of officers out there, working the various events and handling calls for service. Right now, things are going as planned.”
Every year, crowds of people pour into Morgan Hill to enjoy the Fourth of July festivities, joining with those residents who participate in city functions as well as their own barbecues and family get-togethers. Parade organizers said they estimate at least 34,000 people attended the annual parade Monday morning.
The officers’ goal is to ensure a fun and safe celebration of the nation’s birth. Unfortunately, some people inevitably have too much fun, Sampson said.
“We want to make sure everyone has the opportunity for a safe and fun celebration, and we are on the lookout for those who would ruin the fun for someone or cause danger to others,” Sampson said last week, while preparations for Monday’s events was underway.
Officers on patrol duty were on the lookout for unsafe behavior on the roads, including drinking and driving and reckless driving. At press time Monday, police had arrested 16 people in Morgan Hill over the long holiday weekend, including 3 warrant arrests and 4 arrests unrelated to the holiday events. Officers covering the parade, the festival and the fireworks display handle traffic flow as well as staying on the alert for fights, people who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol and a multitude of other problems possible when large crowds of people gather.
“Besides covering the major events, we have to have enough officers to respond to a regular volume of calls, but also to handle the number of calls about fireworks and parties or the family violence that can be a result of too much alcohol,” Sampson said last week.
Along with minor traffic stops and calls for service about loud parties and possible fights, by Monday afternoon, there was only one out-of the ordinary call.
During the Family Fun Festival Monday afternoon, officers responded to a possible shooting at Community Park where the festival is held. Police arrested one man, whose name was unavailable at press time, for using a slingshot to fire .22 bullets removed from the casing. One minor was struck by a projectile but did not need serious medical attention. Police believe there may have been another victim as well.
Before nightfall Monday, police said the biggest problem was getting intoxicated people at the Street Dance to disperse after it ended Sunday night, though no arrests were made.
“(It was) busy, but not a tremendous amount of arrests and no major problems,” Cpl. Mark Brazeal said.
