Porterville Police Respond to Protest, Make Arrests for Public Safety Violations
PORTERVILLE, CA — “On February 2, 2025, at 2:00 P.M., Officers with the Porterville Police Department responded to the area of Henderson Avenue and Prospect Street, regarding traffic safety concerns stemming from a protest taking place.
Upon arrival, Officers initially encountered a small crowd, which quickly grew to several hundred people. During the course of the protest, numerous individuals in attendance began, and continued, violating traffic laws, including those driving in the area. The actions of these individuals not only endangered their own safety, but also compromised that of the general public.
Out of concern for public safety, to include those involved with the protest, several intersections and roadways were closed down by law enforcement personnel to allow for a safe and on-going presence. Additional police resources, to include members of the California Highway Patrol and the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, were summoned to the scene to assist with providing a safe environment for all involved.
During the protest, Officers with the Porterville Police Department arrested four individuals for Delaying and Obstructing a Peace Officer, which resulted from a traffic enforcement stop, initiated by a Porterville Police Department Officer. During the traffic enforcement stop, two occupants became unruly and were subsequently arrested after a brief struggle, along with two additional occupants of another vehicle, who had stopped and attempted to intervene. As a result of this specific occurrence, two of the involved officers sustained minor injuries, but did not require medical attention.
Additionally, Officers with the Porterville Police Department issued numerous traffic citations for various California Vehicle Code violations, due to the on-going public safety concerns for those in attendance, along with the general public.
The Porterville Police Department would like to remind the community of our commitment to public safety in providing a safe environment for all, and the importance of abiding by all laws during events such as the aforementioned event.”
