A 'low-key' New Year's for police

2013 got off to a relatively quiet start for local law enforcement agencies.

Coeur d'Alene Police made 16 arrests from noon on New Year's Eve to noon on New Year's Day, including five for driving under the influence, two for obstructing an officer and one each for battery and possession of a controlled substance. Coeur d'Alene had four DUIs last year.

The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office made nine total arrests during the 24-hour period, including four for DUI, three warrants and two battery charges.

"We had a rather low-key New Year's," KCSO Lt. Stu Miller said.

Last year the KCSO had seven total arrests and no DUIs.

The Post Falls, Rathdrum and Spirit Lake police departments didn't have any DUI arrests during the New Year's stretch.

No accidents resulting in serious injuries were reported from the county's police agencies.

Freezing temperatures, increased enforcement, more people staying home and the holiday falling on a Tuesday are reasons law enforcement believe the numbers are comparable or lower than most previous years.

"When we get the busiest is when a holiday falls on a Friday or Saturday - that's when people tend to enjoy themselves the most," Miller said. "The past few years people have planned their evenings better in terms of using designated drivers to get home. There's also more awareness about cops looking out for people breaking the law."

Some local agencies were awarded grants to beef up their DUI patrols over the holidays.

"We had a very quiet and uneventful New Year's," said Post Falls Police Capt. Pat Knight. "Knock on wood. I think you're seeing more awareness and people call taxis, realizing it's not worth your time and money to get a DUI. We like to think that education is making a difference."

Knight said having no DUIs was a relief considering some other recent nights.

"We had four in one night last week," he said.

Miller said there were 255 total calls for service through Kootenai County's 911 Center from New Year's Eve to New Year's Day. The numbers are countywide with the exception of those within Post Falls and Rathdrum city limits.

"The total calls are a little higher than normal, but not out of the norm," Miller said. "There were just not a lot of disturbances."

Knight said a party and fight in the 1800 block of Park Lane in Post Falls resulted in multiple juveniles being detained and released to their parents.

"There were a couple foot pursuits in which some of them were not located," Knight said.