You stand a greater chance of getting slapped with a citation from Ohio University Police for peeing at an off-campus fest than for underage drinking or public intoxication.
At least that’s what is indicated by OUPD’s public police log released Sunday that detailed the department’s policing of Mill Fest.
There were 10 alcohol-related arrests during the Saturday block party, eight of which were noted as occurring at an “off-campus fest” with the other two in residence halls. But police cited 15 for disorderly conduct citations, all of which resulted from public urination.
OUPD Chief Andrew Powers said the department overall “arrested or cited 27 people on a total of 31 charges related to the parties on Mill Street.”
The bulk of the arrests from law enforcement agencies, though, were by the the Ohio Investigative Unit, the branch of the state Department of Public Safety that is responsible for the undercover liquor agents who typically make arrests at Athens fests. Agents arrested 36 people on 55 charges.
The Athens Police Department arrested 12 people, according to a city press release, with most charges being alcohol-related and one marijuana-related offense. Athens County Emergency Medical Service responded to five calls for assistance. Four of the calls resulted in transport to O’Bleness Memorial Hospital.
Between the three law-enforcement entities, a total of 75 arrests were made.
The Athens Fire Department did not respond to any calls in the area. OIU issued citations for one felony assault of a police officer and three marijuana related offenses.
APD planned to mobilize its entire force Saturday to maintain the peace during the fest, which started around noon and tapered off gradually as the sun started to go down. Most were over by 8:30 p.m.
Authorities at the scene Saturday said the fest generally went “smooth.”
"This is more people than we had last year, it's a bigger crowd, but it's hard to say if it's worse,” APD Chief Tom Pyle said. “Each event has problems of its own."
Most violations handed out were for nuisance party violations, he added, but couldn’t say how many had been given out. Some parties had been more rowdy than others, and Pyle pointed to one in particular that appeared to be following the rules.
He described a party at 106 Mill St. as “having a great party,” and called it "orderly" and "peaceful.”
The party did not have much litter in the yard and did not appear to have underage drinkers at the house, he added.
"We've given out several warnings, but people have been cooperative,” he said.
Historically, Mill Fest is “calmer” than others, such as Palmer Fest, Pyle said, because Mill Street is longer and allows for festgoers to spread out.
“You guys are crazy,” said Jazlyn Hernandez, a student at Lorain Community College, who attended her first Athens fest Saturday.
But Max Enslen, a junior at OU studying health and administration, said although the scene of thousands of college kids downing beers and blasting music was nothing new, he got to experience it in a new way.
“I have my own house now so it's easier to drink,” he said.
— Allan Smith, Emma Ockerman, Lucas Daprile, Kelly Fisher and Joshua Lim contributed to this report.
Which agencies arrested more people at Mill Fest this year?
OUPD: 27 arrests and citations on a total of 31 charges
APD: 12 arrests, mostly alcohol related
Liquor agents: 36 people arrested on 55 charges
Total: 75 arrests
How about last year?
29 arrests on 42 charges by the Athens Police and Ohio University Police Departments.
— Source: Athens Police, OU Police and previous
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