Click the play button on the video window to the right to see the storyA record number of people are spending Memorial Day at the lakes, and police say they’re ready for the party, with ramped up patrols and checkpoints.
“This is as crazy as I’ve seen it,” said Jeff Burgos, who spent the Sunday at Lake Pleasant. “This is as full as I’ve seen it.”
An estimated 1,500 cars passed through each of the three entrance booths Sunday alone, a number many attribute to “staycations” in the grim economy.
“Staying close to home, the economy has a lot to do with that,” said Ryan Pease, who took his family camping at Lake Pleasant. “Gas, just getting out, it’s too expensive to spend the weekend away.”
Where there’s a party, there’s a DUI task force.
“We aren’t trying to hide anything,” said Peoria Police spokesman Mike Tellef. “We’re telling everybody, 'We’re going to be here, so if you get caught, it’s just because you’re being dumb.'”
Patrols are already on the lookout. The DUI checkpoint at the exit gate will run all day Memorial Day.
People who spent the day on the water said they’ve already seen plenty of action.
“There are a lot of people, a lot of craziness,” said visitor Taylor Robinson. “There's been some crashes with boats and some people getting pulled over.”
Others have experienced the excitement themselves.
“I blacked out and went through a wall, and it hurt,” said Shane McCray, who totaled his car and then got punched in the face during his stay at Lake Pleasant. “But today made up for it.”
“There was a lot of drinking,” said Voadi Minkov, who came off the water on a boat full of his friends. “Not as many cops as I thought there would be, so that's always fun. It was a good weekend.”
Police can’t be everywhere, but they warn to have a designated driver and to be careful in the sun, as temperatures have risen over the weekend.
“Hydrating means drinking plenty of water, sports drinks, stuff like that,” said Tellef. “Hydrating doesn't mean drinking a lot of alcohol.”
There is one thing partiers and police can agree on.
“I’ve never experienced anything where there’s so many people around the lake at one time,” said Ray Harkins. “It was a good time, for sure.”
Even more people are expected Memorial Day.
