Stepped up police patrols part of statewide effort

Newport Beach police netted three DUIs and 19 arrests for public intoxication over the St. Patrick’s Day holiday, officials said Tuesday.

The numbers are a significant uptick from a normal Monday night, but expected when compared to past St. Patrick’s Day holidays, Sgt. Evan Sailor said. Newport and Costa Mesa police were part of a statewide effort Monday to limit alcohol-related incidents.

Newport Beach had three additional cars looking for impaired drivers Monday, Sailor said. All were arrested between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m. Monday night. Police were inundated with calls about loud parties and drunks over the holiday, mostly along the Balboa Peninsula, records show.

— Joseph Serna