Arrests at Hot August Nights down

Sunday, Aug. 8, 1999 | 9:21 a.m.

Reno police said they made 103 arrests of festival participants mostly for misdemeanor offenses and detained 52 for being too intoxicated.

The figure is down from last year when a riot broke out at the event and resulted in more than 250 arrests.

"It looks like arrests were way down from last year," Deputy Police Chief Jim Weston said. "The crowd was much less intoxicated, and we're pleased with how things went."

Police cited cooperation from downtown Reno liquor stores in limiting alcohol sales and the efforts of casino officials to encourage customers to keep alcohol inside as factors for the improved behavior.

Cooler weather and efforts by festival organizers to better control events were other factors.

This year's final cruise through downtown was shifted to Friday night instead of Saturday. The four-day event drew about 200,000 visitors.

Police last year blamed a large insurgence of California gang members for the melee that broke out on Aug. 9.