Halloween partyA A A A tally: 182 cited, arrested | The Columbu...

Police and state liquor agents arrested or cited 112 people Saturday night and early yesterday as thousands packed Court Street for the traditional Halloween bash in Athens.

[Garbage - not reporting]

'Saturday night's crowd, dominated by Ohio University students, seemed larger than last year'
Did the reporter press for any factual basis for these assertions, these wild guesses? Since Athens draws a large number of outside visitors for their peaceful annual Halloween party, and has for decades, why would this statement go unchallenged by both reporter and editor?
Wonder what liquor citation numbers would result from equally focused enforcement of laws at an OSU football tailgate. But, that would not happen, nor would the Dispatch likely publish those numbers if it did. Those red cups somehow invalidate laws ignored on the OSU campus, enforced in Athens, and selectively reported in the Dispatch.

[Jon H]

112 arrests and citations?? WEAK!!!!!

[Nucnac]

The "crowd" is always dominated by OU students as it IS in Athens. Many of those "cited" however are not from OU as they show up looking for a party and find one!

[Mike]

With all these arrests and citations every year, when does this "bash" stop being fun for revelers and just become an embarrasment? In the years I've payed attention to it, I don't recall ever hearing or reading about any positive aspects of this event.

[Balls Deep]

What did they 'clear the streets' at midnight or something? Party poopers.

[Dan]

Mike wrote:

With all these arrests and citations every year, when does this "bash" stop being fun for revelers and just become an embarrasment? In the years I've payed attention to it, I don't recall ever hearing or reading about any positive aspects of this event.

The City of Athens makes way too much money to ever stop this event. WAY TOO MUCH. The towing companies probably tow more cars this weekend than the rest of the year combined. And if you want something positive about this you might try the Athens news where they usually run a couple of stories about the best costumes and something about the bands.

[bobkitten]

Mike wrote:

With all these arrests and citations every year, when does this "bash" stop being fun for revelers and just become an embarrasment? In the years I've payed attention to it, I don't recall ever hearing or reading about any positive aspects of this event.

Mike, if you were ever down there for the event, you would understand the "positive aspects." Great for the businesses down there, and fond memories for the students. The reporting of this has been a joke for decades. But the event itself...superb.

[Bob]

Year after year - same story.
College town - but they seem to rather party.
Would appear that the only thing being learned is "that we don't learn."
What costume does the Police Department get to wear?
TIME TO SHUT IT DOWN.!

[GoBucks614]

Garbage - not reporting wrote:

Wonder what liquor citation numbers would result from equally focused enforcement of laws at an OSU football tailgate. But, that would not happen, nor would the Dispatch likely publish those numbers if it did. Those red cups somehow invalidate laws ignored on the OSU campus, enforced in Athens, and selectively reported in the Dispatch.

They do enforce the laws ever since Holbrook was here. Prolly over 100 citations per game... BUT maybe one or two hospitalizations... not 53!! That is the main difference right there bud

[Rocketman]

As an Ohio alum, allow me to join the chorus of those asking readers to put these figures into perspective. Students may make up the majority of crowd, but they do not account for the bulk of the blotter sheet.
Ohio students know the rules and are able to avoid being arrested. Nor do they trash the campus and Uptown proper(as some complain about every year).
The same can't be said for the thousands of out-of-town friends who invade Court Street for one night a year.

[Big Hank]

Just another Halloween in Athens. Articles like this make it the "in place" to go and act the fool for anyone within driving distance on an annual basis.

[Whatever]

Bob wrote:

Year after year - same story.
College town - but they seem to rather party.
Would appear that the only thing being learned is "that we don't learn."
What costume does the Police Department get to wear?
TIME TO SHUT IT DOWN.!

Whatever. I have masters degree in Civil Engineering from this institution and particpiated in 7 of these parties. I learned plenty from that school, and I got the bank to show it. It is just a fun party and most of the arrests are outsiders. You probably want to shut down OSU tailgates too. Loser.

[Dirk]

Whatever wrote:

<quoted text>
Whatever. I have masters degree in Civil Engineering from this institution and particpiated in 7 of these parties. I learned plenty from that school, and I got the bank to show it. It is just a fun party and most of the arrests are outsiders. You probably want to shut down OSU tailgates too. Loser.

LMFAO @ e-millionaires

[Dan]

Bob wrote:

Year after year - same story.
College town - but they seem to rather party.
Would appear that the only thing being learned is "that we don't learn."
What costume does the Police Department get to wear?
TIME TO SHUT IT DOWN.!

Year after year - same story.
Someone reads a negative article and goes overboard...

[Rds]

Agree with Garbage - not reporting - how in the world would the reporter know who were OU students and who were wanna be students????? next time, send a reporter down the the jail and find out!!!

[Whatever]

Dirk wrote:

<quoted text>
LMFAO @ e-millionaires

Hey D-bag, I never said I was a millionaire; my point was I got a good education and make good money in a reputable field. That guy said no one ever learns anything from OU. What are you? a cashier at the Lion's Den??

[Eugene_C]

Well, some people say it can't be much of a party if no one gets arrested. LOL.

[Chad]

OU students around 20,000 strong

Halloween revelers usually around 50,000

I'd say revelers win by about 10,000

[Big Hank]

You know - the media has made this the story that it has become. The students and their close friends are probably having a blast, and without importing a lot of people who wouldn't know much about it, the number of arrests would probably be down quite a bit. Keep blowing it up, news media, and instead of just having a huge bash with a few people getting out of hand, you make an event that draws people in from all over with the sole intent of getting smashed and acting stupidly. Well done. No sense in bashing the students down there - all schools have their trademark throwdowns. If someone gets out of hand, they should pay the price. But reporting like this from afar is pretty weak.

[Dirk]

Whatever wrote:

<quoted text>
Hey D-bag, I never said I was a millionaire; my point was I got a good education and make good money in a reputable field. That guy said no one ever learns anything from OU. What are you? a cashier at the Lion's Den??

LMAO @ bragging online that you have money to show it and becoming so defensive about the institution you received your education from.