The unsanctioned party in the plaza on Halloween night drew about 2,000 people, but yielded fewer arrests than last year and no major incidents, police said this morning.

Police arrested 29 people downtown on Saturday night, mainly for alcohol-related offenses, according to preliminary reports, said Lt. Corey Falls with the Ashland Police Department.

"I thought things went really well," he said this morning. "The crowd seemed mellower than in years past."

Last year, about the same number of revelers attended the street party, but 37 were arrested.

Ashland's plaza celebration typically attracts people from neighboring cities, especially when the holiday falls on a weekend.

About 30 police officers — from Ashland, Talent, Phoenix and Medford's departments — were on patrol in Ashland for Halloween, as they tried to curtail drunken driving, underage drinking and rowdy partying.

"The exceptional teamwork of all the agencies was able to help us keep things in check," Falls said. "I think it helped alleviate problems and keep people safe."

Inspectors from the Oregon Liquor Control Commission were also monitoring bars for underage drinking.

Deputies from the Jackson County Sheriff's Office assisted Ashland officers in setting up a drunken-driving "saturation force" in Ashland, Talent and Phoenix between 9 p.m. Saturday and 4 a.m. Sunday.

The saturation force made 46 traffic stops, issued 25 citations. The officers also arrested four people for driving under the influence of intoxicants.

The saturation force officers cited several people for non-traffic related offenses, including two for driving with an open container of alcohol, one for harassment and two for being in possession of less than an ounce of marijuana.

In the plaza area, most of the arrests and citations were alcohol related, Falls said. Police arrested 10 minors for being in possession of alcohol, and lodged seven people in the county's detox station. One person was arrested for driving under the influence of intoxicants downtown.

Police also arrested three people in the plaza area for possessing less than an ounce of marijuana.

Six people were arrested for disorderly conduct, including one 24-year-old man who was obstructing traffic at the intersection of East Main and Pioneer streets by dancing and throwing clothing in the street.

One person was arrested for robbery and another for shoplifting.

Overall there were fewer public safety problems downtown on Halloween than in years past, likely due to the increased cooperation between law enforcement agencies, Falls said.

"The amount of officers we get is a good number and it enables us to solve problems very quickly and efficiently," he said. "The crowds were not able to get excited about things or get enticed."

After going through a briefing this morning with the officers who worked on Halloween, Falls said there isn't anything major Ashland police plan to change about their response to the holiday next year.

"I think we have the program down," he said. "It seemed like business as usual."

Contact staff writer Hannah Guzik at 482-3456 ext. 226 or hguzik@dailytidings.com.