While it was a relatively quiet Labor Day weekend for local law enforcement, one trend has the sheriff a little concerned. According to Mariposa County Sheriff Brian Muller, 14 juveniles were arrested in the three-day period.

Muller said that in all, 32 people were taken to jail. “Although the total number of arrests was normal for the Labor Day weekend, the number of juvenile arrests was up significantly,” he said.

Twelve of the 14 arrests occurred at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds and included charges of public intoxication, possession of marijuana, possession of alcohol, threats, obstructing a peace officer and two incidents involving the brandishing of a weapon. One 15-year-old girl had to be hospitalized due to her high level of intoxication. She was later released from the hospital.

Muller expressed concern about the trend. He said he hoped it was an “anomaly” that does not indicate a deeper problem. The juveniles who were arrested all were under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The sheriff said his department will be working with Mariposa County Fair Manager Brian Bullis to help alleviate future problems. Still, he said, parents must be aware of where there children are and what they are doing. “There is a certain degree of oversight on the part of the parents,” that is necessary, the sheriff said.

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