Davis Hopes To Avoid Rowdy Picnic Day

DAVIS, Calif. (CBS13) -- City officials have taken steps to prevent another UC Davis Picnic Day from spinning out of control after dozens of arrests and fights broke out at last year's event.

According to the Chamber of Commerce, more than four dozen businesses have signed the Picnic Day Community Covenant, an agreement not to sell alcohol before 11:00 a.m. this Saturday.

Aziz Fattah, the owner of Village Pizza and Grill, says he had no problem signing the agreement considering the incidents that took place last year. The Davis Police Department made 33 arrests for fights, public drunkenness and shooting, among other charges, during the 2010 event.

"It does get pretty bad," Fattah said. "I saw one fight almost break out. I had to go and break it up, actually."

Months before this year's Picnic Day, organizers worked with the city, police and businesses to bring the event back to how it used to be: an open house for UC Davis and a chance to show off the college.

"It's not a drunk fest, it's not a party," said Davis Police Lt. Paul Doroshov.

Police say they will be handing out citations for double the fines for anyone violating any laws in downtown Davis this Saturday.

Organizers said continued rowdiness could threaten the existence of the event and call the 2011 Picnic Day a "probationary year."

Picnic Day festivities begin at 9:30 a.m. and end at 10:00 p.m.