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SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — Large crowds, but few major problems, were reported by South Shore law enforcement agencies following a busy Fourth of July weekend.
“With the exception of a few altercations in the Casino Core area, Nevada Beach and Zephyr Cove Beach, the crowd was well behaved,” said Douglas County Sheriff Sgt. Jim Halsey in a Tuesday statement.
Deputies arrested 49 people over during the weekend on suspicion of charges including strong-arm robbery, assault, battery, theft, vandalism, trespassing, threats, harassment, indecent exposure, possession of a controlled substance, driving under the influence, child endangerment and probation violation, Halsey said.
On the California side, gatherings at Cove East, Lily Beach and the meadow in between stayed largely family-oriented, said Lt. Les Lovell, spokesman for El Dorado County Sheriff's Office.
The biggest problems for deputies arose at Ski and Baldwin beaches, where several disturbances and alcohol-related incidents were reported. The incidents were “not unusual” for a holiday weekend.
But an increase in fighting, underage drinking and public intoxication at Ski Beach will cause the U.S. Forest Service to take a look at changing how the area is managed on the Fourth of July, said Cheva Heck, spokeswoman for the agency.
It's still too soon to say what measures could be taken, but alcohol bans at several Nevada beaches have curbed similar problems, Heck said.
The Forest Service did not receive any reports of illegal fireworks or campfires at the South Shore, Heck said. The agency received no reports wildfire starts during the holiday weekend and recent wet weather has moderated fire conditions, Heck said.
El Dorado County Sheriff's deputies saw an increase in the number of fireworks reports this year following several slow summers since 2007's Angora fire, Lovell said.
South Lake Tahoe police received 12 reports of fireworks throughout the weekend, according to the department's press log.
Among the reports was a fireworks display that launched from an inflatable raft anchored near Regan Beach Monday.
After the South Shore's traditional Lights on the Lake fireworks show concluded, another smaller display began at 10:06 p.m. Multiple fireworks launched for about two minutes from an Explorer brand inflatable boat nestled in the brush near the shoreline.
Throughout the weekend, police were “very busy, but had no major calls for service,” said Lt. David Stevenson.
El Dorado County Sheriff's deputies and the U.S. Coast Guard rescued four people after their rental boat sank about 2 p.m. Sunday, several miles offshore from Ski Run Marina.
Following a report of the sinking boat, deputies arrived and found four people floating among a debris field, Lovell said. Each of the boat passengers were wearing life vests.
One passenger was taken to Barton Memorial Hospital and treated for hypothermia. Three other passengers declined medical care, Lovell said.
Passengers told deputies that mechanical problems caused the boat to take on water.
— Tahoe Daily Tribune editor Annie Flanzraich contributed to this report
“With the exception of a few altercations in the Casino Core area, Nevada Beach and Zephyr Cove Beach, the crowd was well behaved,” said Douglas County Sheriff Sgt. Jim Halsey in a Tuesday statement.
Deputies arrested 49 people over during the weekend on suspicion of charges including strong-arm robbery, assault, battery, theft, vandalism, trespassing, threats, harassment, indecent exposure, possession of a controlled substance, driving under the influence, child endangerment and probation violation, Halsey said.
On the California side, gatherings at Cove East, Lily Beach and the meadow in between stayed largely family-oriented, said Lt. Les Lovell, spokesman for El Dorado County Sheriff's Office.
The biggest problems for deputies arose at Ski and Baldwin beaches, where several disturbances and alcohol-related incidents were reported. The incidents were “not unusual” for a holiday weekend.
But an increase in fighting, underage drinking and public intoxication at Ski Beach will cause the U.S. Forest Service to take a look at changing how the area is managed on the Fourth of July, said Cheva Heck, spokeswoman for the agency.
It's still too soon to say what measures could be taken, but alcohol bans at several Nevada beaches have curbed similar problems, Heck said.
The Forest Service did not receive any reports of illegal fireworks or campfires at the South Shore, Heck said. The agency received no reports wildfire starts during the holiday weekend and recent wet weather has moderated fire conditions, Heck said.
El Dorado County Sheriff's deputies saw an increase in the number of fireworks reports this year following several slow summers since 2007's Angora fire, Lovell said.
South Lake Tahoe police received 12 reports of fireworks throughout the weekend, according to the department's press log.
Among the reports was a fireworks display that launched from an inflatable raft anchored near Regan Beach Monday.
After the South Shore's traditional Lights on the Lake fireworks show concluded, another smaller display began at 10:06 p.m. Multiple fireworks launched for about two minutes from an Explorer brand inflatable boat nestled in the brush near the shoreline.
Throughout the weekend, police were “very busy, but had no major calls for service,” said Lt. David Stevenson.
El Dorado County Sheriff's deputies and the U.S. Coast Guard rescued four people after their rental boat sank about 2 p.m. Sunday, several miles offshore from Ski Run Marina.
Following a report of the sinking boat, deputies arrived and found four people floating among a debris field, Lovell said. Each of the boat passengers were wearing life vests.
One passenger was taken to Barton Memorial Hospital and treated for hypothermia. Three other passengers declined medical care, Lovell said.
Passengers told deputies that mechanical problems caused the boat to take on water.
— Tahoe Daily Tribune editor Annie Flanzraich contributed to this report
