Officials Consider Ban On River Parties
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) -- A rowdy, but successful party on the American River earlier this month has sparked plans for additional parties on the water, but local officials may choose instead to ban drinking on the river altogether.
At least 5,000 drunken revelers attended Rafting Gone Wild on July 17, forcing police to break up a number of fights and keeping rescue volunteers busy with at least 60 water rescues.
The event was billed as an annual party, but its success triggered a number of spinoff parties that are primarily being promoted through Facebook. One event, dubbed Raft-O-Rama, is scheduled to take place Saturday, and another, called Raftapalooza, is scheduled for Sunday.
Local police departments say they don't have the resources to continually monitor the parties and are supporting a proposal to ban drinking alcohol year-round on a 25-mile stretch of the American River, affecting the area from Hazel Avenue to the Sacramento River.
Waterway regulations fall under the authority of the state and would require lawmakers to pass legislation to invoke the proposal. Rancho Cordova Police Chief Doug Diamond said he will work with local lawmakers to flesh out the plan.
