Police Pleased With Less-Hearty Partying

Fourth of July celebrations in Orange County were the tamest they’ve been in four years, according to police in two of the most notorious party cities on the coast.

“It was slow enough to be enjoyable,” said Huntington Beach Police Lt. Jon Arnold. “But we’re still glad it’s over.”

A total of 99 people were arrested on Saturday in Huntington Beach, down from 111 last year. In years past, youthful and drunken revelers have set trash bins and lawn furniture on fire and pelted Huntington Beach police with firecrackers.

The scene was different this year, although police said underage drinking and speeding may have contributed to a two-car crash on Golden West Street that injured four Long Beach youths shortly after 11 p.m.

“The cars were traveling side by side at a high rate of speed when one of the drivers, a 16-year-old girl, lost control,” said Lt. Larry Miller. “She collided with the car on her right, which caused both to spin out of control.”

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Earlier on Saturday, a motorcyclist was killed in Huntington Beach while waiting at a red light on Pacific Coast Highway. Adam J. Summers, 32, was hit from behind by a taxi shortly before 4 a.m. Police do not believe alcohol was a factor in the crash but said they are still investigating the possibility.

Farther south, in Newport Beach, 85 holiday partyers were arrested, including 10 juveniles for underage drinking. Last year police made 96 arrests, said Lt. Doug Fletcher.

“With the exception of a few fistfights, it was slow, slow, slow,” he said.

Traffic fatalities statewide were down as well, from 35 last year to 16 in the same period Saturday, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Officials suspect the drop is related to a sharp increase in the number of arrests for driving while under the influence, said CHP officer Bill Preciado. The number of DUI arrests statewide rose from 858 in 1997 to 1,005 this year, he said.

“The more drunks we get off the road, the more lives we save,” Preciado said.