Police chief issues press release about after-game disturbancePolice chief issues press release about after-game disturbance

This the press release issued late Thursday night by Athens Police Chief Rick Mayer. It's printed verbatim.

On Thursday night, March 18, 2010 at about 9:40 pm, after the Ohio University basketball win in the NCAA tournament, rowdy persons poured out of the bars on N. Court street and began chanting and blocking the street. As there were only three officers on duty, additional support was called in and also requests were made to the Ohio University Police and the Athens County Sheriff's Office.

While waiting for additional officers, the crowd continued in their rowdy behavior and broke a street light. At this time it is unknown if any vehicles were damaged. A local TV crew crossed the line from reporting and became a part of the problem. Their crew drew a crowd and every time they turned on their cameras the crowd swelled and got more vocal.

After enough officers from the three agencies were present, teams of 4-5 officers were sent into the crowd to break it up. This went smoothly and by 10:40pm the crowd had dissipated and many had gone home while others returned to the bars. Extra officers stayed on duty to help ensure that the evening remained calm.

We appreciated the support and help from the Ohio University Police and the Athens County Sheriff's Office.

Lieutenant Ralph Harvey will be available until 7:00am to try and answer any questions.

Chief Richard Mayer, CLEE

Athens City Police Department

REPLY TO THIS COMMENT

Kyle

Ohio's first tournament win in forever, students take to the streets to celebrate, and a media crew had the AUDACITY to cover it?!?!?! How dare they?! The media do not work for the city. They're not responsible to control the crowd. If you don't have enough police officers to control the crowd don't start pointing the fingers around to find someone to blame other than the budget.

Joe

The police dept needs more officers. These idiots can claim the streets anytime they want and what can be done with 3 officers. A little alcohol and a crappy team winning a game gets everyone fired up. BS.

Jayman

Tax money pays their salaries. Have you seen the budget situation lately? Its very easy to bark "hire more cops" without being the person responsible for paying them. BTW, anyone really believe that Ohio had a real shot at winning this game, and the APD could justify the extra pay for more officers? Hindsight is 20-20, but I bet there were have been more than a few snide remarks about the money spent for extra cops when the odds were they wouldn't be needed. I guess asking or expecting college students to act like adults and not hoodlums would be asking too much as well.

Scott Haag

Dear Sir or Madam, I am a proud member of the Ohio University class of 1994 and I love OU and Athens. I am however quite concerned with Chief Mayer's press release, most notably his comment that: "A local TV crew crossed the line from reporting and became a part of the problem. Their crew drew a crowd and every time they turned on their cameras the crowd swelled and got more vocal." That quote, along with the fact that clearly no consideration was made from a staffing standpoint in order to prepare for a potential Bobcat victory as only three officers were on duty are quite a concern. It would be easy for me to hurl insulting names at Chief Mayer, but that is not what this is about. My concerns are whether Chief Mayer has the competency and judgement necessary to keep Athens safe for all residents and visitors, including but not limited to students. His poor judgement with staffing, or lack thereof, and then placing blame on a media crew makes me think that Athens might better be served if Chief Mayer were to resign in order to allow for someone who understands the role Ohio University plays in the mere existence and operations of Athens and as how to properly prepare for and interact with the student body. Chief, trust me when I say that it is nothing personal, but Athens, with Ohio University, is clearly much more complex than you seem to realize and are apparently able to handle. Sincerely, Scott Haag Bachelor of Business Administration Ohio University Class of 1994

Shelley

Chief Mayer should issue an apology for the comment: "A local TV crew crossed the line from reporting and became a part of the problem. Their crew drew a crowd and every time they turned on their cameras the crowd swelled and got more vocal." The camera crew was only covering the disturbance. It is not their responsibility to handle the crowd, that's your job as the chief of police.

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Police chief issues press release about after-game disturbance

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