Davis mayor vowed to make university’s Picnic Day safer. What has been done?
Davis Mayor Bapu Vaitla leaned forward, looked across the city council chambers and vowed for change after UC Davis’ famed Picnic Day celebration had gotten out of hand.
That was in April, as residents and parents clamored for more safety after a shooting broke out while hundreds partied at Community Park. The April 12 shooting injured two teens and a 24-year-old just across the street from Davis Little League games. Joseph Allen Davis, 19, was arrested in connection to the shooting.
Now, about seven months have passed since the university’s celebration. But few specifics or solutions for the 116-year-old tradition have been released by the city and UC Davis.
UC Davis and city spokespersons, in a joint statement, said the city and university have “increased our collaboration” through meetings.
“Our meetings include key leadership, strategic communications, public safety, and student support and judicial affairs, among others,” the emailed statement said. “While planning is ongoing, we are focused on refining outreach, enhancing education efforts around enforcement and safety, and exploring thoughtful updates to event logistics to help ensure a safe, respectful, and enjoyable celebration for the entire community.”
Davis spokesperson Jenny Tan did not immediately respond to a question seeking to understand how the “enforcement and safety” measures would differ from the messaging already circulated by UC Davis leading up to the revelry.
Picnic Day, called the “crown jewel” event for the university, brings about 70,000 to Davis for parades, a fashion show and other family-friendly events. But the event also prompts numerous fraternity and community parties, straining local police resources as emergency calls increase.
Violence has marred previous annual fetes. In 2010, The Sacramento Bee reported that large crowds swelled, overwhelming downtown bars and eateries. Officials contemplated canceling the celebration.
The Davis City Council approved an ordinance doubling fines for carrying open containers of alcohol, urinating in public and noise violations in 2011.
But Picnic Day has changed over the past 15 years. Now, celebrations span across Davis, Police Chief Todd Henry has said.
The UC Davis Police Department and city of Davis have mutual aid agreements that span across the city and campus. But the university has acknowledged only Davis police officers have jurisdiction in public areas, such as Community Park.
Davis, the accused shooter during this year’s picnic who prosecutors have said is an Oak Park Blood gang member, was arrested in May at his Sacramento home.
He pleaded not guilty in Yolo Superior Court to felony and misdemeanor charges, which include: possession of a weapon by a person previously convicted of a felony; felony possession of an assault weapon; felony possession of a weapon by a person under 30 years of age with a prior juvenile conviction and wardship; possession of ammunition by a person prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm; and misdemeanor possession of a large capacity magazine.
His next hearing is scheduled for Friday in Yolo Superior Court.
Davis was also charged by federal officials with a gun charge. Law enforcement found an AR-15 style pistol in his apartment, according to a news release. He is scheduled to appear Nov. 20 in federal court.
This story was originally published November 13, 2025 at 2:48 PM.