Happy fest season, and may the odds be ever in your favor.
City officials are planning to implement similar measures from last Saturday’s High Fest, which saw 57 arrests, in an effort to crack down on crime during this weekend’s Palmer and Palmer Place fests.
The Athens Police Department is seeking assistance from both foot and mounted police officers to help the department uphold the law, Capt. Ralph Harvey said.
“We’re making extensive preparations by bringing in officers from almost every agency you can think of,” he said. “We’re planning for the worst and hoping for the best. What we have to do depends on what the people at the fests do.”
Officers from out of town are paid an hourly rate for their services, Harvey said.
Agents from the Ohio Investigative Unit have been asked to focus on underage drinking at this weekend’s fests, said Julie Hinds, spokeswoman for the unit.
“We have been asked to assist the police department both Friday and Saturday, and we’re going to be focusing on underage drinking,” she said. “The city would be putting a greater focus on crowd control.”
Undercover agents from the unit — who more than sextupled the number of arrests made by local police at this year’s High Fest — are also likely to make more arrests than Athens Police this weekend, Hinds said.
“Whether our agents are in the bars or on the street, (they) will be there,” she said. “We’re not trying to be the party police; we’re just trying to make sure everybody’s having a safe and responsible time.”
Though law enforcement’s presence will be heavy, Hinds said the best way for partygoers to keep out of trouble is simple.
“Bottom line is: If you’re not 21, don’t be drinking,” she said.
But Ohio Investigative Unit agents have a slightly different take on public safety than Athens law enforcement, Mayor Paul Wiehl said.
“They take their job seriously, and they’re doing their job well,” he said. “I can’t fault them for doing their job.”
But even though police presence will be beefed up this weekend, fests are going to be a last “hoo-rah” of sorts for seniors, said Sean O’Malley, an Ohio University senior studying accounting who lives on Palmer Street.
“We’re really excited, and we’re going to be throwing down some significant cash for some kegs,” he said. “But obviously, no underage drinking at our house; we’re all seniors.”
Ryan Lombardi, OU’s dean of students, discussed fest safety at Wednesday’s Student Senate meeting.
“It’s fest season, but please stay safe,” Lombardi said.
jj360410@ohiou.edu
