By Max Fontaine * Hard-nose beat reporter

Bass Lake Police Authority has scheduled its inaugural “Day off from crime-fighting” for March 1.

Police Chief Tug McNabb discussed the unique event this week during a press conference.

“We’re committed to protecting the community 24-7, 365 days a year. During a leap year, it’s 366 days, with the same 24-7/365 stuff,” McNabb said in a mimeographed statement provided for the media, since he couldn’t attend the conference. “This is a small gesture to reward our police force, short of a bump in salary, a request that was quashed in last year’s ballot request.”

Features of the “day-off”: No arrests or traffic stops will be made, and emergency calls will be considered on an “as-needed” basis.

“In hopes of making this an annual event, we ask the public to adhere by local laws as presented in Document (c)(1) of the Bass Lake Criminal Code,” McNabb mimeographed. “We expect adherence to order when we’re at work, and we trust order will remain intact in our absence.”