Police clean up Mardi Gras

Four people were stabbed and several cars vandalized in Tuesday’s Mardi Gras celebration, said Enrique Garcia, press information officer for the San Jose Police Department. Police made 25 arrests and issued 238 citations, Garcia said.

All of San Jose police special forces and swing shift monitored the area as well as undercover officers in the crowds, totaling over 200 officers.

Officers wore shielded helmets and formed a line with nightsticks in hand and pushed the impeding crowd away from Santa Clara and Second Streets, which has been a problem area in past Mardi Gras celebrations.

“Toon’s is usually good for a stabbing,” said Officer Ed Conover about the nightclub on 52 E. Santa Clara St.

Lt. James Werkema said the police try to keep the crowds moving. Trouble “just moves with the crowds,” Werkema said.

Miranda Radland of San Jose said the police wouldn’t allow her access to her car.
“Every time we turn a corner, they tell us to walk another two blocks,” said Radland. “I’ve walked 20 blocks.”

Some party-goers said the police presence was overdone.

“They’re overdoing it,” said Rick Martin, a San Jose resident. “I think they’re causing more problems than anything.”

Officer Brian Daley said the police response was “measured.”
“That means just the right amount,” Daley said.

Several cars were vandalized on Fourth Street and St. James Street.

The windows of a BMW M3 were shattered and the roof, hood and trunk dented, leaving a skeleton of what was a once-shiny sports car.

“What happened was a whole bunch of people came through here and your car got stomped,” said the officer responding to the vandalism.

All they can do if file a report the following day, said the officer.

“The cops told us to clean up our mess—that’s really low,” said Ryan, a friend of the car’s owner.

Both police and bar patrons said youngsters who cannot drink are problematic because they crowd the streets, vandalize and cause fights.

“There’s supposed to be a big old party—but I guess not,” said Jamie Pelkey, who drove with friends from Oakland to have fun, but said he was not old enough to go into bars.

The San Jose police said they had warned people not to come to the area unless they had a place to go, Daley said.

Marvin Dulay, a SJSU alumnus, said three years ago people were having a good time.

“Now there’s just police,” Dulay said.

“It’s this whole new world order,” said Fernando Julian Perez, a SJSU junior majoring in radio, television and film. It’s excessive force, said Julian Perez.

Last year, there were 45 arrests and 170 citations. “We still have a problem, but it’s getting better,” said Daley.

Houssein Khani, a San Jose State University sophomore majoring in biology, said he planned to stay out of trouble.

“I wore my running shoes,” Khani said.