Cesar Chavez Activity 2022

As expected, activity in Chico for the Cesar Chavez holiday was busy. With the return of students from Chico State University from Spring Break, the holiday has, historically, seen an increase in south campus celebrations.

César Estrada Chávez (March 31, 1927 – April 23, 1993) was a Mexican American farm worker, labor leader and civil rights activist who, with Dolores Huerta, co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers (UFW). Supporters say his work led to numerous improvements for union laborers. The recognized state holiday is the celebration and honoring of his life’s work and is recognized on his birthday every year.

The Chico Police Department increased staffing for the holiday with two special teams of officers tasked with dealing with alcohol related issues that typically arise out of the holiday. In addition to these special teams, the Chico Police Department also conducted a DUI checkpoint and a Sex-Offender compliance operation.

The following are the arrest and citation statistics for the event starting 0700 Thursday March 31 and ending at 0700 Friday April 1:

Alcohol related citations (open container, minor in possession etc): 47

Public intoxication arrests: 4

DUI Arrests: 4

Assault on officer arrests: 1

Resisting arrest: 1

Lynching arrest (attempt to free an arrestee from custody) 1

Other misdemeanor arrests: 7

Sex Offender violation arrests: 1

Other citations (traffic etc.): 11

With the exception of a few incidents, officers of the Chico Police Department found those celebrating the holiday to be in good spirits and were polite and appreciative of the increase officer presence. The goal of the increased staffing is to provide a level of protection to allow those wishing to celebrate to do so safely. We would like to thank the public for doing so in a way that honors Cesar Chavez and his life of service.

Watch Commander: Lt. T. Tupper