Davis City Council to vote on enforcement zones ahead of Picnic Day celebration
The Davis City Council will decide Tuesday whether to establish “safety enhancement zones” across the city during the Picnic Day celebration, as it has in past years. Safety enhancement zones designate specific times and areas where penalties for certain violations are increased.
The council will also vote on whether to prohibit alcohol consumption in city parks during the weekend of Picnic Day, which is Saturday, April 18.
Picnic Day is UC Davis’ largest annual celebration. The 112-year-old event draws tens of thousands of people to events such as a parade and fashion show, but it has also been marked by rowdy crowds, blaring music and excessive drinking.
Last year, three people were shot and one person was trampled during an incident at Community Park on Picnic Day. A 19-year-old Sacramento man pleaded guilty to related federal gun charges in December. A second suspect was arrested later that month.
City officials have said this year’s celebration will bring a significantly expanded law enforcement presence, one year after the shooting rattled the community. The city will double police staffing for the event, officials announced earlier this month.
The council is expected to vote on a resolution prohibiting alcohol consumption in city parks during the weekend. Parks are ordinarily exempt from the city’s public drinking ban. Under the proposal, the city would create three safety enhancement zones — two surrounding Willow and Slide Hill parks and a third encompassing much of downtown Davis.
Within the zones, penalties for violations such as open container possession, public urination, public smoking and excessive noise would increase. The zones would be in effect from 6 p.m. Friday, April 17, until 6 a.m. Sunday, April 19.
“Enforcement of laws will be a key focus on Picnic Day this year,” the city wrote in a Feb. 5 press release. “Police officers will be prepared to take early and consistent enforcement action to promote safety and reinforce behavior expectations.”
