San Rafael, CA – The San Rafael Police Department successfully ensured a more peaceful community celebration during this year’s Central American Independence Day observance this past Sunday, September 15.  The event, which saw a significant decrease in violent incidents compared to previous years, was carefully planned over the last several months.  This involved engaging community members, organizations, neighborhood groups, and businesses.  SRPD also worked with Marin County law enforcement agencies to provide extra personnel to deter criminal and sideshow activity.

After 2023’s celebrations in the Canal Neighborhood, which ended in two shootings, SRPD and the community began planning for a more robust presence and community outreach to reduce crime and keep celebrations more peaceful.  This collaborative effort involved engaging with community members, organizations, neighborhood groups, and businesses to solicit ideas and to better communicate with the community about reducing criminal behavior and sideshow activity while maintaining the ability to have peaceful celebrations.  SRPD used social media and community meetings to encourage safe and responsible celebrations while emphasizing a zero-tolerance stance on criminal behavior.

Additionally, SRPD and its Marin County law enforcement partners took several specific measures to ensure a peaceful celebration.  This included increasing law enforcement presence and providing an early and proactive response to incidents.  The Marin County Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol, Central Marin Police Authority, Novato Police, Mill Valley Police, Sausalito Police, and Tiburon Police provided additional law enforcement personnel to help keep the community safe.  The extra personnel allowed for teams of foot patrols, bike officers, and motorcycle officers. 

SRPD also worked with the Department of Public Works Traffic Engineering and Streets Division to add traffic-calming infrastructure, preventing vehicles from driving recklessly at key intersections.  Extra San Rafael Fire personnel were also available to assist with potential medical emergencies.

Numerous proactive traffic stops, citations, and arrests, with some related to DUIs, reckless driving, sideshow activity, and public intoxication, were credited to reducing crime and keeping the peace.

In total, law enforcement officers made 23 traffic stops, issued 20 citations, impounded seven vehicles, and made five arrests.  Four of the 23 traffic stops were related to sideshow activity, and two of the five arrests were related to driving under the influence.

SRPD thanks our community members, organizations, businesses, and partnering law enforcement agencies for helping with messaging and keeping the peace.

The San Rafael Police Department will continue working with our community to ensure peaceful celebrations and gatherings while deterring criminal behavior that jeopardizes community safety. SRPD will also continue to take a zero-tolerance stance regarding sideshow activity and utilize the full extent of the law to remove dangerous drivers and their vehicles from our streets.