Booze fuels Chávez Day

Chico’s college student community celebrated César Chávez Day in an unorthodox way and to excess. The three-day weekend ending on the day honoring the life of the nonviolent protester and champion for farmworkers’ rights resulted in numerous calls for emergency responders.

According to a Chico Police Department press release, two people were shot outside a house party at Third and Cedar streets—both victims are in stable condition. Additionally, officers made 56 misdemeanor and seven felony arrests, and issued 79 alcohol-related citations—for things like being drunk in public, being a minor in possession, and violating the glass ban downtown.

Police responded to 13 calls for medical alcohol overdoses from March 29-April 1, according to Lt. Billy Aldridge.

“Even over a special event weekend, 13 overdoses is a lot,” he told the CN&R.