Calm waters at river, less violence downtown

Number of people inner-tubing on Sacramento River stays relatively low for 2nd consecutive year

Beer Can Beach saw a lazy Sunday and an even mellower Monday.

For the second year in a row, a task force of state and local agencies cracked down on the Sacramento River inner-tubing festivities in an effort to keep partiers safe, said Susan Hearne, a state park ranger at the Irvine Finch River Access.

"Ten years ago, you had 10,000 kids and three rangers out here," Hearne said. "Kids were dying, and it just got too dangerous."

About 1,800 people floated down the river Sunday, an increase from about 700 people who floated last year on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, according to Orion archives. On Monday, about 450 people floated, a significant drop from the estimated 20,000 people on Labor Day 2004.

State park rangers made three arrests for public intoxication at the Irvine Finch access Sunday. No arrests were made Monday, Hearne said.

Parking was prohibited along Highway 32 from River Road to the Irvine Finch access, and highway patrol officers were out roving all weekend, said Paul Sadowski, a California Highway Patrol officer.

"It's been uneventful and quieter than last year," Sadowski said. "I don't want to say it's overkill, but if something does happen, we're ready."

At 1:30 p.m. Monday, Beer Can Beach had about 10 people on its eroded shores. At Scotty's Landing, the dozens of emergency vehicles and patrol cars outnumbered tubers' cars.

Chico State senior Veronica Sette has floated down the river for the past three years and has seen the holiday change.

"It has calmed down quite a bit," Sette said. "This year, it was pretty relaxing. It was fun, and it wasn't crowded at all."

This year, the police presence was more noticeable, and the limited parking made it difficult to get into the river, she said.

"It's such a hassle to try and plan everything out," Sette said.

Chico police Lt. Tim Voris said partying along the river and downtown was almost like any other weekend in Chico, with the usual amount of alcohol-related arrests.

Out of town visitors caused most problems and arrests in previous years, Voris said.

"This weekend was reasonable with not a lot of huge crowds," Voris said. "It was a lot of people partying responsibly at their friends' houses." Mike Murphy can be reached at mmurphy@theorion.com

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