Editor's note: Based on information provided by Davis police, an earlier version of this story incorrectly reported the site of a fight where a police officer was injured. The fight happened in front of a Starbucks coffee shop, not at the Graduate Bar.

By Bill Lindelof
blindelof@sacbee.com

Reinforcements had to be called in as violence soared on Picnic Day Saturday in Davis, police said.

Usually, arrests totals 15 and calls to respond to service total about 100 on Picnic Day. But this year, Davis police said, 33 arrests were made and police went to 516 calls.

Police responded to such incidents as sexual battery on women, chair throwing brawls and an assault on an officer.

Picnic Day, first held in 1909, is purported to be the largest student-run event in the United States.

This year's homespun festival featured cockroach races, sporting events, music and dance. The on-campus activities were tranquil and enjoyable.

But what happened off-campus on Saturday was anything but fun.

Police said huge crowds packed the downtown area and local bars. Davis police needed help to handle crowd control and break up dozens of fights and other disturbances.

They called in assistance from Woodland Police Department, West Sacramento Police Department, the Yolo County Sheriff's Office and the California Highway Patrol.

Most arrests were for being drunk in public, drunk driving and fighting.

There were also reports of sexual battery to women who ventured into drunken crowds.

One bar was temporarily closed after a fight erupted and chairs and other furniture was tossed into the street, police said.

Police were aided by bar bouncers who broke up fights without ever summoning authorities.

Parties at residences close to campus were also tough to control, police said. When drunken revelers took to the top of an apartment complex, the party was shut down, fire officials fearing the roof would collapse.

Other crime listed by police in an after-party press release: A woman had her purse snatched, a victim reported being fired upon by a passing car downtown and other crimes in which victims were treated at hospitals.

One person was attacked without provocation at Bistro 33 in downtown Davis. The victim was seriously injured, police said.

The assault on an officer occurred about 6 p.m. Saturday when officers were responding to a large fight in the parking lot of a Starbucks. While en route, an officer saw another fight at the intersection of University Avenue and Russell Boulevard.

The officer tried to break up the fight but was attacked. With the help of citizens and other arriving Davis police, two men were taken into custody.

Arrested were Augustine Valerian, 26, and Dominic Valerian, 29, both of El Cerrito, Contra Costa County. They were arrested on suspicion of assault on a police officer.

Call The Bee's Bill Lindelof, (916) 321-1079.

Previous coverage:

Instant ice cream, cockroach races thrill guests at UC Davis' spring rite - April 18, 2010