Charlotte police arrest 169 for disorderly 4th

CHARLOTTE (AP) — Police arrested 169 people for disorderly conduct and drunkenness and confiscated two weapons during Charlotte's downtown July Fourth celebration.

That's six times the number in the past two years.

Some people say the police were overzealous while others said the show of force made them feel safe.

A crowd of 800 people was dispersed last year, when one person was shot in the face. A crowd of two-thousand people gathered in 2005 after a fireworks display.

This year's crowd was about 20,000 and more than 300 additional officers were on hand.

Police Chief Darrel Stephens says the city's goal was to have a safe environment on the Fourth and he thinks that was accomplished.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)