Although Saturday’s midnight shift included all of 49 incidents — including fights, noise violations and other drunken misconduct — Capt. Ralph Harvey of the Athens Police Department said in terms of the first weekend back to school, everything was “business as usual.”
With six fight calls, 21 noise ordinance related complaints and nine disorderly conduct incidents among many other calls received by the APD on Saturday night alone, Harvey felt APD knew what the opening weekend would hold.
“Nothing really stood out (this weekend),” Harvey said. “There was a good bit of activity, but that is to be expected.”
APD and Ohio University Police Department have been working together in preparation for the first weekend back and all aspects of Fall Quarter to make sure students are safe, he added.
Saturday’s midnight shift also included four arrests, two disorderly conduct by intoxication calls, one theft and assault charge, a UAC & Obstructing Official Business call and three traffic stops, according to a news release.
“Though activity went up significantly compared to the last few weekends, we were prepared and will (keep) proactively patrolling Athens to preserve, protect and enhance the quality of life,” Harvey said.
Ohio University students also felt the weekend was handled well by law enforcement.
Jason Kuhn, a sophomore studying management of information systems, said he felt there were more cops out than usual, and there was a good balance of making sure people were safe while allowing partygoers to have a fun weekend.
“They had to be on high alert since it was the first weekend back and since there were so many new students out,” Kuhn said.
@ThePostCity
