First Weekend of Coachella Sees More Citations, Fewer Arrests Than in 2022

INDIO (CNS) – The first weekend of the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival experienced one major festival-related collision involving an Indio police officer and a slight increase in citations since last year, authorities said Tuesday. According to statistics released by the Indio Police Department, this year saw a 15% increase in citations and a 9% decrease in arrests compared with the first weekend of 2022’s festival. Police reported a total of 83 citations issued, mostly for unlawful use of a handicap-parking placard. A total of 102 arrests were made, the majority of them for public intoxication. Other arrests made throughout the weekend included three for alleged use of false identification, eight for alleged possession of drugs for sale and two for alleged property crimes. There were also four citations issued for people parking in a handicap parking spot. Police reported one major concert-related traffic collision on Saturday that involved an officer who suffered two broken forearms and was recovering at a hospital. The music festival will continue next weekend, beginning Friday. Indio police urged anyone who sees suspicious activity to contact the Coachella Valley Crime Stoppers line at 760-341-STOP (7867), or call 911 in emergencies. Copyright 2023, City News Service, Inc.