Oshkosh Police Department PC: Fox 11 Online
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The Oshkosh Common Council unanimously approved a resolution aimed at curbing the semiannual unsanctioned “Pub Crawl” event among UW-Oshkosh students.
The resolution allows police officers to break up parties for offenses including:
- Underage drinking
- Providing alcohol to intoxicated persons
- Excessive noise or crowding
- Obstructing streets or sidewalks
- Littering
- Disorderly conduct
- Violent behavior
“Clearly something needs to be done,” said Council Member Paul Esslinger.
Oshkosh Police Chief Dean Smith requested an ordinance.
“We have heard the cry from many folks that actually live in the community saying that the city needs to do better,” said Smith, “that it needs to do more.”
This past spring, one person was shot during Pub Crawl, the third shooting since the start of last year. Law enforcement spends about $45,000 to cover each event, according to Smith.
“This ordinance will give us an additional tool in order to shut down some of the house parties that are occurring at a more rapid fashion,” said Smith. “As we start to see violations are occurring that are enumerated within the ordinance, it allows us to tell the person who is the leaser of the property, ‘You have to shut this down.'”
A person who refuses to disperse from the party is subject to a $100 fine ($263.50 including court costs).
Student opinion varies
“I do feel like if one person ruins it for everyone, that is a little over the top,” said Gavin Perencevic.
Students shared mixed opinions.
“It’s just kind of out of control as of now,” said Nolan Dragolovich. “It just seems like it’s just a big mess.”
The event is not a university sanctioned event.
This past spring alone, police booked 10 into jail and issued 41 citations. Most weren’t even UWO students, they came in for the event.
“I’m trying to figure out why my constituents are being punished for the actions of people who smuggle weapons into the parties they’re not supposed to be at and try to stir the pot,” said Casen Frassetto, a Winnebago County Supervisor who represents the district and is a UWO student. “The reality of it is Pub Crawl is still going to happen.”
Come the next Pub Crawl on October 10, or maybe the early hours of October 11, the community will find out whether the ordinance is effective.
“We cannot continue to do nothing and have the same outcomes,” said Council Member Karl Buelow.
Under the new resolution, landlords would not be liable for misconduct from their leasers.
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