Alumni, law enforcement and local officials will be keeping an eye on Athens this weekend.
Friday’s Oak Fest and Saturday’s Mill Fest will be a test of sorts for Ohio University students after a house fire, later ruled as arson, and a riot evacuation brought April’s Palmer Fest to a close.
Following Palmer Fest, Athens and university officials called for safe and civil behavior from students during a town hall event Wednesday, and the Athens Police Department plans to have the same level of presence at this weekend’s fests as it did on Palmer.
Athens Police have contingency plans for many situations, said Capt. Ralph Harvey.
“We’re going to respond accordingly to anything that occurs at the fests,” he said. “I’m sure (officers) will perform well, just like they did at Palmer Fest.”
Following fest tradition, APD has called in support from the Ohio Investigative Unit, a state entity that is charged with controlling underage drinking.
During Oak Fest and Mill Fest, agents will be working shifts akin to what they did during Palmer Fest, said Julie Hinds, spokeswoman for the unit.
“Whether it’s in the bar or in the street, our agents will be there,” she said. “They are sworn officers and they have arrest power.”
The future of Mill Fest was up in the air following the Palmer Fest arson, and city officials met with OU President Roderick McDavis and other university officials April 30 to discuss the future of fests.
“The decision was made that it would be less likely to cause out-of-control behavior to go ahead with fests that are already in place this year,” City Council President Jim Sands said in a previous interview.
Saturday’s fest will go on as planned, and local officials do not expect dangerous events like those of Palmer Fest.
“Mill Fest has not been as intense as Palmer, so we probably won’t change tactics,” Mayor Paul Wiehl said at a press conference last week.
That message was echoed by Dean of Students Ryan Lombardi, who said enough students were disappointed with the house fire that they want to ensure this weekend is safe.
“I don’t think there will be any bad behavior,” he added. “My expectations are that (students) stay low key; I expect them to stay in line for law enforcement.”
jj360410@ohiou.edu
