Christmas, New Year’s OK for Mammoth Lakes Police Department

Even with the recent proposed reductions in the Mammoth Lakes Police Department, including some recent retires and early exits, Chief Dan Watson briefed Town Council Wednesday that the Christmas and New Year’s holidays went well, with “nothing major” to report. MLPD had plenty of assistance from four Mono County Sheriffs Deputies and eight California Highway Patrol officers roaming the streets. “There were lots of happy drunks, and a few not-so-happy drunks,” Watson told The Sheet. A handful of revelers were arrested for DUI, including one who was booked after colliding with an ESTA bus.

Speaking of buses, on New Year’s Eve, the Chief said that when he clocked out at 3 a.m., the buses were still running full, and many folks were on foot. Mammoth Mountain Ski Area VP Bill Cockroft thanked Council for its recent shifting of extra funds to help pay for the additional service, and partnering with MMSA to subsidize the buses. Of the roughly $40,000 in extra money needed, Council scrounged up $25,000 and MMSA covered the rest.