SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – With the 4th of July on a Saturday this year, it was expected to be a busy holiday weekend in South Lake Tahoe, and it was! In the 24 hours from 6 a.m. on July 4 to 6 a.m. on July 5, the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) responded to 308 incidents that led to 11 arrests. One beach had to be closed before the fireworks due to alcohol consumption.
SLTPD Lt. Russell Liles said the July 4 parade went well with no issues. With both lanes of US50 closed and a detour available, the usual complaints were not voiced, and the public in the parade and watching it were safe.
Liles said the department was kept busy, especially at Timber Cove.
“Timber Cove continues to be a challenge,” said Liles. They were very busy mitigating alcohol on the beach, alcohol being consumed on the beach, and fights on the public beach. He said law enforcement was overrun by people with alcohol, which is not allowed on the beach. As with other communities, including North Lake Tahoe, large groups of teens with alcohol caused numerous problems. Liles said the minors they 86’d from the beach were locals. As they were being asked to leave the beach, a female threw something at an officer, and she was arrested.
Liles said they will work on a plan for 2027 as the unruly crowds at Timber Cove are getting out of control. This year, they closed the beach to the public at 8:30 p.m., 75 minutes before the fireworks started. The beach normally closes at dusk, Liles said, but they normally keep it open for family enjoyment on the 4th.
“This is a public safety issue with the amount of drinking and overconsumption,” said Liles. “Families felt unsafe. We will come up with a plan next year with parameters in place to manage the crowd. It takes away from those here to enjoy the beauty of our beaches and the fireworks show.”
One incident that is still under investigation occured at Regan Beach right as the fireworks were starting. A local man was seated on the lawn with his family when a group stood in front of them and others who were sitting in the area, blocking their view of the fireworks. According to witnesses, he asked they move or sit down. Instead, a female in the standing group turned and used a beer bottle to attack the man. He sustained injuries to his face and was seen by medical personnel at the scene and then transported to the hospital.
The 308 incidents in 24 hours:
- Stolen Vehicle – 1
- Resisting – 2
- Violation of a Court Order – 1
- Hit And Run – 2
- DUI – 1
- Battery – 4
- Battery on a Peace Officer – 1
- Misd Domestic Assaul -1
- ADW – 2
- Rape – 1
- Spousal Abuse – 1
- Disturbance – 9
- Disturbance Domestic – 2
- Disturbance Fight – 6
- Disturbance Music or Party – 12
- Alarm – 1
- Theft-Petty – 2
- Mental Dist Person – 4
- Trespassing – 2
- Drunk In Public – 4
- Annoy Phone Calls – 1
- Emergency Hang-up – 22
- Animal Incident – 5
- Assist Outside Agency – 16
- Bears – 2
- Bike Stop – 4
- Boat Incident – 8
- BOLO – 5
- Citizen Assist – 3
- City Ord Other – 3
- Any civil problem – 2
- Community Policing – 1
- Detail – 2
- Flag Down – 3
- Fireworks – 5
- Found Property – 3
- Followup – 1
- HOMELESS – 3
- Informational Event – 9
- Juvenile Problem – 5
- Location Check -13
- Lost Property – 4
- Drug Offense – 1
- Pedestrian stop – 1
- Private Property Tow – 6
- Parking Violation – 22
- Reckless Driver – 2
- Suspicious Circumstances – 24
- Suspicious Person – 3
- Suspicious Vehicle – 1
- TC Injury – 2
- TC Non-Injury – 3
- TC Unk Injury – 1
- Traffic Enforcement – 3
- Traffic Problem – 4
- Traffic Stop – 40
- Unwanted Subject – 5
- Vehicle Check – 2
- Vacation Noise – 2
- Vacation Other- 2
- Vacation Trash – 1
- Welfare Check – 4