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Sheriff’s office urges action after Caddo Lake event produced dozens of arrests and citations
Summary
Sheriff’s staff reported boat‑related DWIs, public intoxications and fights at a recent Caddo Lake mud‑racing event and urged the county to explore permitting or state coordination to better manage large waterborne gatherings.
Sheriff’s staff told the court they responded to a recent mud‑racing event at Caddo Lake that produced significant public‑safety incidents and suggested the county explore permitting or other regulatory options for large gatherings on public waterways.
A sheriff’s lieutenant reported that during the weekend event officers documented 11 boating‑related intoxication arrests (BWI), about 15 public‑intoxication incidents, more than 100 citations and multiple fights, including confrontations that crossed from boat to boat. "There were 11 BWIs... 15 PIs... There was over a 100 citations written," the lieutenant said.
Speakers urged looking at solutions similar to policies used for large trail rides, including permitting, requirements for private security or state assistance for water patrols. One commissioner suggested the state may need to act because the waterway is public; the sheriff’s office said it will investigate whether events are organized locally and whether patrol resources can be staged more effectively.
The court agreed to follow up with the sheriff to explore options; no regulatory change was adopted at the meeting, and the discussion concluded with direction to coordinate with state partners and local law enforcement about possible enhanced patrols and permitting mechanisms.
