It was a busy Halloween weekend for Chico Police. They made 137 arrests between Thursday and Sunday. Fifty-nine of the arrests happened on Halloween night. The charges ranged from public intoxication to assault with a deadly weapon. Chico Police Lieutenant Mike O'Brien said, "This year's Halloween on Saturday was especially busy and active. Although the arrests were very similar, the activity levels were very different this year compared to last year. There were a lot more people out and a lot more violent crime."
Chico Police also saw an increase in out-of-town visitors this year. Preliminary reports show 56 of those arrested were not from the North State. One of the more serious crimes happened at an apartment complex on West 2nd Avenue. Two victims were stabbed and six suspects were arrested. O'Brien told Action News, "The stabbing incident in particular that you just mentioned was very disturbing in that we had officers that essentially had a firearm brandished at them as they were investigating this particular crime. That is extremely concerning."
O'Brien says the incident was gang related. Just two blocks away, a woman was shot in the shoulder during a drive-by shooting. Police are still looking for additional suspects in both incidents. Despite the increase in violence this Halloween, police say it is easy to keep away from it. "Typically , if you stay out of certain areas in town and particularly staying out of those areas at a late hour, you're going to be fine," said O'Brien.
If you have any information on the stabbing or drive-by shooting, you are encouraged to call the Chico Police Department.
