Mount Pleasant police issue fewer alcohol related citations during St. Patrick’s Day weekend

The Mount Pleasant Police Department reported fewer alcohol-related citations issued as students celebrated St. Patrick’s Day last weekend.

Mount Pleasant Public Information Officer Jeff Thompson said the colder weather and adequate preparation by local law enforcement this weekend might have been a contributing factor in a lower number of criminal and other incidents.

“Our preparation was focused on officer presence to deter incidents from happening and having enough officers available to respond to any incidents that might arise,” he said. “We had additional officers on duty both Saturday night and Sunday during the day.”

MPPD issued nine minor-in-possession and seven open intoxicant citations this weekend, down from 55 combined in 2012.  Additionally, several operating while under the influence and traffic arrests were made over the weekend, but it would be difficult to directly relate them to the weekend, Thompson said.

“It is difficult to clearly state that it was a success from our perspective,” he said. “(But,) I cannot think of anything that we could have done differently to prevent the incidents that did happen.”

As previously reported by Central Michigan Life, in 2012, MPPD also issued citations or arrests for one aggravated assault, 14 attending/hosting a nuisance party, one disorderly conduct, one disturbing the peace, four operating while intoxicated, two possession of marijuana, two resisting and obstructing an officer, three traffic violations and two warrants for arrest.

MPPD also responded to six accidents/hit and runs, three alarms, 14 assaults/fights, 12 disorderly conducts, two larcenies, 44 loud parties, two medical runs, eight malicious destruction of personal property, one motorist assist, one parking stop and 11 traffic stops.

The Central Michigan University Police Department issued 11 MIPs this weekend, down from 31 in 2012.

In 2012, CMU police issued citations for one retail fraud, one illegal entry, two disorderly conducts, two possessions of marijuana and two operating while intoxicated. They also issued five arrests for varying reasons.

CMU police Lt. Cameron Wassman agreed with Thompson, saying the cooler weather played a factor in keeping more people indoors.

“On campus, this makes for a big reduction in the groups of people who generally congregate and roam during these big weekends,” he said. “We also like to think people progressively become more aware of their surroundings in order to keep safe and realize the consequences of poor choices.”

In terms of comparing the increased amount of arrests, Wassman said every situation is different.

“If someone is cooperative, the police are more apt to issue a ticket when dealing with a crime, if they can, rather than making an arrest,” he said. “The severity of the crime also plays a part.”

Metro Editor Hailee Sattavara contributed to this report.