By DJ Becker/The Madera News July 5th, 2024
Madera Police received 234 calls for service from 7 pm the evening of July 4th, until 7 am the next morning according to Police Cmdr. Josiah Arnold. “Three arrests were also made for DUI. Officers responded to at least 80 calls with locations of illegal air burst fireworks,” he said.
“There were also 26 calls for (small spot) or grass fires, most of which were caused by fireworks,” Arnold said. “Prior to the holiday, we had served multiple search warrants leading to (multiple) seizures of illegal fireworks.”
There were three times the number of police officers out on patrol in anticipation of the busy holiday evening, along with two additional supervising sergeants on duty, according to Arnold.
“Last night we had doubled our dispatch staff to answer calls and more than tripled our sworn officer staff on duty. We will continue to have extra enforcement this weekend although the scope will not be as large as last night,” he said.
In other activity, one arrest was made for domestic violence, officers assisted the Madera Sheriff’s Department with a gang call and responded to several calls for large fights requiring sizable police responses, Arnold said, and an investigation into an assault with a deadly weapon was initiated.
Anyone with information on illegal fireworks or to report other concerns should contact the Madera Police Dispatch line at 675-4220. The line is answered 24/7 and you can remain anonymous.
