Athens Mayor Ric Abel wants Ohio University students to know that the city's response to recent increases in violence will not single them out, but they should behave responsibly.
During the past two weekends, a total of six fires were set in the middle of streets, and people allegedly have thrown rocks and beer bottles at police.
Abel addressed the violence and the police's efforts to decrease it at a news conference yesterday. That's just not acceptable; that's just not proper behavior
he said.
He emphasized that the city's primary goal is to promote responsible behavior and maintain safety while assuring that students understand the consequences of their actions.
Police Capt. Tom Pyle, spoke after the mayor and said police want to confront any area residents who act inappropriately. I don't want anyone to get the impression that we're targeting Ohio University students he said, adding that the city recognizes the majority of students abide by the law.
Abel said the number of fights during the end of the summer and the first few weeks of school are about the same as the number of fights that occurred between March and June. He said his main concern is keeping the city safe by dealing with situations involving irresponsible behavior as they arise.
Police presence this weekend will depend on the actions of students and area residents, but it is not the department's intention to spoil a good time for anyone, Pyle said.
He also said after the conference that he has an idea of what prompted the increased violence during the past few weeks, but he declined to explain his thoughts.
Though most of Abel's discussion focused on the violence, he addressed several other topics, including the reinitiation of a community survey that residents and students likely will receive in October.
The mayor also said he thinks that City Council is taking longer than it should to act in regard to the Stimson Avenue retirement community.
(Council) should take it put it in an ordinance form and vote it up or vote it down
Abel said.
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