Police issue more citations before Memorial Day this year

The week leading up to Memorial Day saw more alcohol-related citations and arrests, among other police services, than the same time frame last year, according to Laguna Beach Police.

There were 988 calls for officers and service this year from May 24 to Monday, 59 more than 2010.

Total arrests nearly tripled compared to last year with 73 arrests versus 28 in 2010.

Public intoxication arrests doubled, from three in 2010 to six this year, as well as hit-and-run collisions, going from four to nine. Drunk driving arrests increased from 11 to 13.

Reported traffic collisions went from 13 to 22 this year. Similarly, alcohol related citations went from seven to 12.

Police wrote 96 reports this year, 17 more than last year. In regards to citations issued, traffic and municipal, they went up from 136 in 2010 to 167 this year.

The Police Department had three additional DUI units assigned to saturation patrol this year, Sgt. Louise Callus said.

Marine Safety reported close to 80,000 people at the beaches this year, which they say are packed every year, regardless of the weather or surf conditions.

Chief of Marine Safety Kevin Snow said lifeguards didn’t find this year much different from 2010 with the exception of medical aids and rescues. Medical aids were cut in half, going from 100 over the three-day weekend last year to 53 this year. They only had three rescues last year compared to 23 rescues this year.

Besides that, they had three boat rescues, two missing children and one mutual aid response for the drowning and boat accident in Dana Point off Strands Beach on Sunday night.