More Than 100 Citations Issued in Valley County During Booze-Free Fourth of July in McCall
By George Prentice @georgepren
The City of McCall's Fourth of July experiment of imposing major restrictions on public consumption of alcohol was a major success, according to city officials and law enforcement—but some residents and visitors disagree.
"It's no fun," Boise resident Chili Ruffino told the McCall Star-News. "McCall is not McCall."
"They need to find a happy medium," Carla McClure told the Star-News. "Yes, we love to see the families out, but I am thinking a ton of people didn't show up because of the alcohol ban."
Even a few McCall merchants said the family friendly rules had a negative impact on business.
"Feels like McCall doesn't want to prosper," Bistro 45 owner Kit Worthington told the Star-News.
Still, McCall officials were quick to call this year's Fourth of July weekend a "success," saying the holiday provided a "safe and vibrant place" for families.
The Valley County Sheriff's Office told Boise Weekly it handed out 103 infraction citations, many for illegal consumption of alcohol in restricted areas. Idaho, Valley County and Idaho Parks and Recreation all imposed no-alcohol restrictions in parks, beaches and much of the downtown McCall area.
In addition to the citations, Valley County Sheriff's deputies also made eight misdemeanor arrests. Those people were not booked into the Valley County Jail in Cascade, but 16 people did spend time behind bars between Friday, July 1 and Monday, July 4. Six of those arrests were for driving while intoxicated.
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