A strong presence of San Diego police officers ensured a peaceful afternoon during the 32nd annual Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off Festival on June 25, despite a bulging crowd estimated at 70,000 people. Officers from several divisions patrolled the event on foot in teams of two or four officers, concentrating on Newport Avenue and the adjacent alleys and parking lots. A police van with a canopy, flanked by police squad cars, towered in the parking lot of 1950 Abbott St. near the lifeguard tower and Saratoga Park. The command post served as a briefing area for the officers on duty. The strategically planned operation appeared to have kept major disturbances at bay. One supervising sergeant from Eastern Division said there had been “absolutely nothing to report.” One intoxicated pedestrian was reportedly detained to prevent a fight and lost children were reunited with parents quickly because of the added police manpower. Sgt. Gary Mondesir, who is assigned to oversee special events manned by the Traffic Division, said officers are chosen for duty from the police department’s database containing the names of more than 1,500 officers from all divisions who previously volunteered for special assignments to assist the regular field officers. Mondesir said he evaluates staffing levels based on the previous and anticipated number of visitors and vendors, the size and location of the event, the form of entertainment and whether alcoholic beverages are being sold or prohibited. Participants and organizers of the Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off were complimentary of the police presence and the interaction between officers and visitors.