An plan for the Fourth all can make peace with

If anyone doubts the success of last year’s police plan for

controlling Fourth of July revelry in West Newport, they don’t need

to look at the numbers.

True, the drop in arrests is impressive. There were 154 arrests in

2002, 17 of them felonies. Last year, the number dropped to 103, with

just 11 for felonies. (Another impressive number: 200, the

approximate number of police who patrolled the West Newport area.)

But better that they check with the reactions of locals who

weren’t terribly enthusiastic about the increased police presence and

the city’s decision to designate the historically rowdy part of town

a “safety enhancement zone” where fines as much as triple and liquor

sales are curbed substantially.

“The residents and the police department worked together,” said

Brian Clarkson, the spokesman for a group, FreeNewport.com, that

initially raised loud objections to the toughened holiday

enforcement. “The implementation by the police department is what

really made the difference. They were genuinely supportive of the

residents.”

The difference between last year’s relatively calm Fourth and past

years’ party scenes is a clear benefit to the city and a boon to most

residents. Even those who live here but also want to let loose a bit

ought to be glad they can take to the streets with substantially more

ease. The plan targets the right problem: People from far away drawn

to a reputation that Newport no longer deserves.

City leaders are worried that, after all the noise made about the

increased enforcement last year, the calm being shown by residents

could come before a new storm. Because the city’s tough stance was

such news in 2003, many would-be revelers knew Newport was not the

place to party. This year, though, the lack of news might translate

into a renewed rush of uninformed miscreants.

The city is taking steps to get the word out, however, that West

Newport again isn’t what it used to be. They should continue that

tactic. Money spent on a little PR will be money saved come July 4.

It also might mean a little more peace for police and residents,

alike.