San Diego Harbor Police are increasing patrols on the bay this Fourth of July weekend, targeting boating under the influence as hundreds of thousands of people are expected to gather along the waterfront.
Officers will be looking for impaired boaters, but will also be checking for life jackets, safety equipment, reckless driving, and enforcing speed zones.
Harbor Police expect over 400,000 people around the bay for the fireworks celebration, describing it as an all-hands-on-deck situation with most of their staff working. Boating under the influence carries the same consequences as driving impaired on the road,
All local law enforcement agencies have the same message about the July 4th holiday weekend. If you are caught driving under the influence,. you will face stiff fines and possible jail time.
San Diego County Sheriffs deputies will be conducting increased impaired driving patrols on saturday and throughout the holiday weekend. San Diego PD and the CHP also will have increased enforcement. So far in 2026, just over 4-thousand people have been arrested for driving under the influence in San Diego County.
Driving under the influence doesn't just mean alcohol. It also means driving under the influence of prescription drugs or marijuana.
(Photo reporting partner 10News)