Early numbers indicate fewer arrests

by Philip Elliott
THE POST

Despite an estimated larger crowd, preliminary numbers of arrests from Athens Halloween weekend are down from past years.

Friday night brought approximately 42 APD arrests, down from 113 in 1999, according to an Athens Police Department news release.

That number does not include arrests from the Ohio Department of Public Safety's Enforcement Division, which arrested 84 last year, or from the Ohio State Highway Patrol. OSHP numbers will be available today, a representative said.

Athens Police officers said they felt activity Friday night was near normal, while arrests Saturday were down from last year, according to the news release.

Friday night, Ohio University Police Department officers arrested five people, said OUPD secretary Sharon Snodgrass. OUPD also issued 14 citations.

About 45 cars were towed from OU lots that night as well, she said.

Saturday nights' numbers also were fewer than last year's numbers, according to APD documents.

APD arrested 86 people this Halloween weekend, yielding 106 charges, according to the news release.

Of those 106 charges, 62 were for disorderly conduct and 16 were for underage consumption and possession of alcohol.

On campus, OUPD arrested 13 people on Saturday night, Snodgrass said. OUPD also issued 20 citations.

In all, OUPD reported five cases of vandalism, three thefts, two assaults and five drug-related responses during the weekend, Snodgrass said.

"They said the crowd was larger, but there were not as many problems as last year," she said.

Four people required medical attention, said OUPD Lt. Chris Johnson.

"We had to call an ambulance for them," he said. "They were above a safe level to be incarcerated."

Saturday also brought 49 towings.

At O'Bleness Memorial Hospital, fewer than 20 patients came in related to the Court Street festivities, said Lynn O'Leary, O'Bleness emergency room nursing supervisor.

One of those patients was flown to Columbus at about 4 a.m. yesterday morning for cuts on the arm, O'Leary said.

•• - Natalie Myers contributed to this story.••