The What Cheer House is illuminated at night in Old Sacramento. Police will restrict vehicle access to the historic district after 10 p.m. on weekends under a new plan aimed at improving safety.
Jose Luis Villegas
jvillegas@sacbee.com
Sacramento police will close Old Sacramento streets to vehicle traffic on weekends after 10 p.m. beginning Friday in an attempt to curb violence after a stabbing wounded five people in an early-morning brawl last week, the latest in a string of assaults in the historic district and popular nightlife destination.
The move is part of the “Traffic Management Plan” crafted by Sacramento Police Department and Downtown Sacramento Partnership. Officials say the plan is designed to “improve safety and enhance the overall experience for residents, visitors and businesses” in the historic district.
“We remain committed to working collaboratively with our community, businesses, and local stakeholders to address neighborhood concerns and enhance public safety,” Sacramento Police Department said in the statement. “Ensuring that those who seek to take advantage of this area to commit crimes are held accountable remains a top priority.”
The restrictions, according to a map provided by police, would effectively turn Old Sacramento west of Second Street into a pedestrian zone after 10 p.m. on weekends. Front Street, Firehouse Alley and portions of I, J, K and L streets would be closed to vehicles, while Second Street would remain open. Motorists also would retain access to the Old Sacramento and Tower Bridge parking garages.
A map of Old Sacramento’s historic district provided by the Sacramento Police Department shows streets that will be closed to vehicle traffic beginning Friday following last weekend’s stabbing attack that wounded five people. Sacramento Police Department
The change came less than a week after five men were stabbed during an early-morning brawl near Front and K streets along the Old Sacramento boardwalk.
Police said the fight broke out shortly after 3 a.m. Saturday. Officers found three men with stab wounds, while two other wounded men later showed up at a hospital. All five were hospitalized in stable condition. The investigation has since led to two arrests.
Nineteen-year-old Ezekiel Paul Griffis of Sacramento was arraigned this week in Sacramento Superior Court on five counts of assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the stabbing near Front and K streets. A second suspect, Robert Dennis Richwine, 19, of Rancho Cordova, was arrested Tuesday in the attack shortly after 3 a.m. Saturday. He was expected in court Thursday afternoon.
The plan announced Thursday would allow motorists to access Second Street from Capitol Mall and I Street, but access beyond Second Street to the Old Sacramento waterfront would be restricted. The Old Sacramento and Tower Bridge parking garages would remain open. Pedestrians would still be able to access Old Sacramento businesses, and vehicles parked within the zone would be able to leave, the Sacramento Police Department said.
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The riverfront boardwalk runs through Old Sacramento near the Delta King. Police will restrict vehicle access to the waterfront after 10 p.m. on weekends as part of a plan aimed at curbing violence and improving safety. Randall Benton Sacramento Bee file Old Sacramento safety concerns
“Old Sacramento Waterfront requires immediate city-backed tactics to prevent future incidents to the best of everyone’s ability,” Michael Ault, Executive Director of Downtown Sacramento Partnership, said in a statement acknowledging the safety concerns and detailing a traffic management strategy officials are calling a “cooling period.”
“Cities all over the country are facing similar safety challenges, but there are also districts that are successfully mitigating and managing them with creative solutions,” Ault continued. “This safety tactic is common in successful entertainment districts across the country. Evolution is important to the success of Old Sacramento Waterfront, so we must adopt best practices to manage the space safely.”
The traffic restrictions added to a series of safety measures adopted in Old Sacramento after years of concerns about violence, large crowds and late-night activity in the historic district.
Those concerns intensified in 2021 after several high-profile incidents, including a brawl involving about 50 juveniles, a reported gunshot and a homicide. A survey of Old Sacramento residents, business owners and property owners around that time also raised concerns about street parties, intoxication, erratic driving and cruising that contributed to congestion.
Police have since expanded surveillance and staffing in the area. The department uses a network of public safety cameras, including cameras operated by businesses, and works with private security companies. Police also deploy additional officers on busy weekends and during events.
The department’s bicycle unit also moved its office from near the state Capitol to the Downtown Commons area, a change police said allowed officers to respond more quickly to Old Sacramento.
Old Sacramento’s waterfront boardwalk stretches along the Sacramento River. Police will restrict vehicle access to the historic district after 10 p.m. on weekends under a new safety plan. Autumn Payne Sacramento Bee file
This story was originally published July 30, 2026 at 2:43 PM.
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Darrell Smith is a local reporter for The Sacramento Bee. He joined The Bee in 2006 and previously worked at newspapers in Palm Springs, Colorado Springs and Marysville. Smith was born and raised at Beale Air Force Base and lives in Elk Grove.