San Luis Obispo Wants Celebrations Toned Down
LOS ANGELES -- Rowdiness won't be tolerated at this month's Mardi Gras celebration in San Luis Obispo, promoted as the largest such party west of the Mississippi.
"I'd like to see Mardi Gras return to what it was about six years ago, and definitely what it was 10 years ago. It was fantastic," said Dick Pimentel, who manages the Web site for Mardi Gras of San Luis Obispo.
Pimentel recalled earlier years when the city festival was largely a colorful parade to Mission Plaza with participants tossing beads to small crowds on the way. In recent years, it's become known for unruly guests and vandalism, assaults and hundreds of arrests.
The 26th annual event, Feb. 20-22, will see a large law enforcement presence. Twice the number of police officers as last year will be on patrol. More than 20 agencies will aid in law enforcement.
Police also plan to release the names of those arrested to colleges statewide.
Mardi Gras security could cost the police department $50,000 in overtime and other fees, including payment for special details coming from outside the area, authorities said.
There were an estimated 35,000 people on hand for last year's parade and police arrested 139 people, mostly drinking-related arrests.
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