Contact: Sgt. Joe Ketchem, 217-403-6981, [email protected]
Area law enforcement agencies and University of Illinois officials urged safety and responsibility for the annual “Unofficial” St. Patrick’s Day, held in the campus area of the University of Illinois on March 4, 2016. Routine bar checks, canvassing of campus, and wellness checks of participants were some of the proactive measures officials took to address the event.
Altogether, 160 city ordinance violations were issued, which was a slight increase from the 138 issued in 2015. Of the ordinance violations this year:
- (36) were directly related to four underage drinking parties
- (3) individuals were arrested on state criminal charges and transported to the Champaign County Jail
- Medical personnel responded to (28) calls for service; and
- (21) individuals were transported to local hospitals for alcohol incapacitation issues.
“There were no significant injuries reported this year, however there were more individuals requiring medical attention,” stated Sergeant Joe Ketchem. “We don’t know if that increase reflects more students overindulging in alcohol or more students taking the initiative this year to seek help for alcohol-related injury. We definitely want those safety calls for service being made, yet we’ll continue to drive upfront messaging that promotes healthy and preventive behaviors.”
Alcohol safety and responsibility efforts from the University and local Police were substantial leading up to the event and included resource mailings to students, the University’s online “Rethink the Drink” campaign, police safety presentations to sororities, fraternities, and student groups, and promotion of the University of Illinois’s Medical Amnesty and Good Samaritan Procedures.
Patrol leadership for Unofficial was provided by the Police Departments of Champaign, University of Illinois, Urbana, Parkland College, Illinois State, and the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the Illinois Liquor Control Commission.
Complete arrest data for Unofficial 2016 is identified in the spreadsheet here. Please note that the spreadsheet includes three tabs: Notices to Appear in court (NTA’s), Champaign County Sheriff’s Office Transports (CCSO Transports), and NTA-type totals.