Spring Break
Number of homecoming citations down slightly
Despite increase in number of event attendees, weekend ran smoothly, officials say
Brian Reisinger
Issue date: 10/20/05 Section: Campus News
After hearing about house party busts in September and observing the buzz surrounding alcohol this semester, sophomore Amanda Rose said she was expecting a bit of a clash between police and students over homecoming weekend this year.
But after celebrating with friends and enjoying the homecoming festivities, she said, it seemed like alcohol was a far less contentious issue than she had anticipated.
"I just thought (police enforcement) was going to be a bigger deal and it wasn't," Rose said. "It was just like last homecoming."
In spite of a high turnout at homecoming events, city and university officials agree this year's festivities ran relatively smoothly, with arrest and citation numbers varying only slightly from last year.
"We had a lot of people out, but for the most part they were pretty well-behaved," said Eau Claire Deputy Chief of Police Brad Venaas.
City Police arrested 15 individuals over the homecoming weekend, with alleged offenses including disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, obstructing an officer and marijuana possession. That's up slightly from last year's count of eight.
The number of citations issued, however, was 178, down from last year's 207. Individuals were cited for underage possession and consumption, open containers, public urination, disorderly conduct and carrying false identification.
Univeristy Police reported 28 citations for the weekend, including underage drinking, operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, being sent to detox and marijuana possession. That number constitutes an increase from the 23 citations issued last year.
Though police were not orchestrating a "scare tactic" in the weeks leading up to homecoming, Venaas said, the busts in September may have helped create a more civil drinking scene, making police enforcement less of an issue.
"It seemed like (students) were toned down a little," he said. "Just because we didn't receive as many complaints."
He said police enforcement this semester hasn't been harsher in nature - just more uniform.
But after celebrating with friends and enjoying the homecoming festivities, she said, it seemed like alcohol was a far less contentious issue than she had anticipated.
"I just thought (police enforcement) was going to be a bigger deal and it wasn't," Rose said. "It was just like last homecoming."
In spite of a high turnout at homecoming events, city and university officials agree this year's festivities ran relatively smoothly, with arrest and citation numbers varying only slightly from last year.
"We had a lot of people out, but for the most part they were pretty well-behaved," said Eau Claire Deputy Chief of Police Brad Venaas.
City Police arrested 15 individuals over the homecoming weekend, with alleged offenses including disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, obstructing an officer and marijuana possession. That's up slightly from last year's count of eight.
The number of citations issued, however, was 178, down from last year's 207. Individuals were cited for underage possession and consumption, open containers, public urination, disorderly conduct and carrying false identification.
Univeristy Police reported 28 citations for the weekend, including underage drinking, operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, being sent to detox and marijuana possession. That number constitutes an increase from the 23 citations issued last year.
Though police were not orchestrating a "scare tactic" in the weeks leading up to homecoming, Venaas said, the busts in September may have helped create a more civil drinking scene, making police enforcement less of an issue.
"It seemed like (students) were toned down a little," he said. "Just because we didn't receive as many complaints."
He said police enforcement this semester hasn't been harsher in nature - just more uniform.