Ryan ChartrandMardi Gras in San Luis Obispo remained a nonevent for another year, thanks to the efforts of city government, law enforcement officials, and student and community associations.
Police officers attribute the calm demeanor of the holiday to both poor weather and an effective campaign by the city to ensure that everything the holiday once was in San Luis Obispo will never be again.
“We essentially did the same thing that we’ve done in years past,” said Lt. Steve Tolley of the San Luis Obispo Police Department. “We’ve managed to achieve our goal through communication with students and community groups, and by promoting the goal via media cooperation and through the Web site mardigrasslo.com.”
There were a total of 28 arrests through Fat Tuesday, the same number as in 2007. Thirty-six citations were also issued.
The majority of arrests were for alcohol or drug-related offenses, with a few for assault and warrant arrests.
Of the 36 citations, Tuesday marked the only noise violation.
Fat Tuesday itself was uneventful, with one arrest for assault and the other for a warrant-related offense. Five citations were issued, four of which were for open containers.
Citations issued between the Thursday preceding Fat Tuesday until 7 a.m. Wednesday were subject to triple fines imposed by the city.
Throughout the entirety of the weekend, personnel brought in from outside agencies were released by 11:30 pm, with the exception of bicycle deputies from the Sheriff’s Department.