The Champaign Police Department has conducted a preliminary review of the Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day event, held on March 1, 2013, and has summarized arrest data and calls for service.
Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day (USPD) was celebrated on the University of Illinois campus and in Champaign/Urbana. The popularity of this event has historically resulted in a significant increase in calls for service for police departments and first responders, thus requiring more police and emergency resources to handle the associated problems.
This year, the number of city ordinance violations decreased by 32% from the previous year.
However, the calls for service and the number of medical transports remained fairly consistent with last year’s calls. The Champaign Police Department found an increase in the number of criminal arrests; this is largely attributed to the enforcement of the new Social Hosts laws that went into effect on January 1, 2013.
It is believed that several factors contributed to the decrease in serious injuries reported and citations issued this year. Those factors include getting students involved in distributing safety information as part of the Champaign Community Coalition’s “Walk as One” event, the educational awareness campaign launched by the University of Illinois, partnering with the various property management companies to distribute safety information to their tenants, the use of social media by local law enforcement agencies to relay safety information prior to, and during, the Unofficial event and inclement weather affecting the number of people gathering outside.
Significant Occurrences:
- The total number of City Notices to Appear (NTA) that were issued was down by 100 this year (210) as compared to last year.
- There was an increase in the number of State Arrests; 33 arrests (31 transports to the Champaign County Jail and two NTAs were issued); 21 of these arrests were for violation of the new Social Host laws.
- There was a slight increase in medical calls this year; 26 total ambulance calls with 16 being transported to the hospital. Carle Hospital also reported 15 walk-ins. In 2012, Pro Ambulance reported 22 calls, 14 transports, and one (1) hospital walk-in.
According to the Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC), on February 28, 2013, the ILCC and the Illinois State Police District 10, The Urbana Police Department and the Champaign Police Department conducted alcohol underage compliance checks in Champaign County in conjunction with Unofficial 2013. Of the 81 licensees checked, six (6) sold alcohol to ILCC underage participants. A list of those licensees will be posted in the ILCC monthly press release.
On March 1st 2013 the ILCC, the Urbana Police Department, Champaign Police department and the Illinois Department of Revenue’s Criminal Investigation Unit conducted alcohol underage compliance checks in Champaign and Urbana. Of the 58 licensees checked, two (2) licensees sold alcohol to ILCC underage participants. Those licensees will be listed in the March underage compliance report. A total of 139 alcohol underage compliance checks were conducted on licensees during the “Unofficial event.” Six (6) sales of alcohol to ILCC underage participants were found.
Other licensee violations during the “Unofficial” event;
Kam’s, 618 E. Daniel St. – Illegal transfer of liquor (19) cases Prohibited sales / Violating Happy hour laws
Joe’s Brewery, 706 S.5th St. – Selling premix liquor without proper labeling. Pre-mix liquor not destroyed weekly
White Horse Inn, 510 E. John St. – Advertising happy hour law violations. Selling alcohol to another retailer. Violation of Mayor’s Emergency orders (Selling glass bottled beer)
Red Lion, 211 E. Green St. – Violation of Happy Hour (Selling multiple drinks to individuals)
Radio Maria, 119 N. Walnut St. – Selling premix liquor without proper labeling. Pre-mix liquor not destroyed weekly
Esquire Lounge, 106 N. Walnut St. – Offering / Unlabeled liquor and pre mix without proper labeling
Emerald City Lounge, 116 N. 1st St. – Offering / Unlabeled liquor and pre mix without proper labeling
The Clybourne, 706 S. 6th St. – Violation of Mayor’s Emergency orders (selling glass bottled beer)
For questions regarding the alcohol compliance checks, please contact the Illinois Liquor Control Commission.
The Champaign Police Department would like to thank the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois Liquor Control Commission, Illinois State Police, University of Illinois Police Department and the Urbana Police Department for assisting our department by responding to the Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day activities.
“It truly takes the cooperation of all of the agencies to successfully deal with an event of this magnitude,” said Lt. Jim Clark, South District Commander. “Overall, we are pleased with the results of this year’s event,” he added.