OXFORD — On Friday, the Oxford Police Department released its enforcement statistics for the Miami University tradition known as “Green Beer Day.”
Green Beer Day, which traditionally occurs prior to spring break each year, was last Thursday, March 16.
“In joint patrols, the Oxford Police Department and Miami University Police Department worked together before and during Green Beer Day to promote a safe environment for all involved,” OPD Chief John Jones said in a press release.
“We recognize the Ohio State Highway Patrol for their efforts to ensure traffic safety and in organizing the OVI Checkpoint as a tool to bring awareness to the issue of drunk driving. Other area law enforcement agencies such as the Ohio Investigative Unit, Butler County Sheriff’s Office, Hamilton Police Department, and the Oxford Township Police Department also had a vital role in this effort and their partnership is valued as always.”
Enhanced enforcement efforts and techniques resulted in enforcement numbers increasing for underage alcohol violations compared to the past few years, according to Jones. Other citations remained consistent with the past GBD numbers, he said.
As part of preventative efforts in preparation for Green Beer Day, Oxford detectives conducted plainclothes operations at local carryouts to stop underage drinking at the point of sale, which resulted in two arrests on Tuesday, March 14, and two on Wednesday, March 15, for underage and a fake ID at Oxford Spirits, a state liquor agency; two arrests on March 15 at Johnny’s Campus Deli and one arrest on March 15 at Kroger, all for underage and a fake ID.
Just prior to GBD, on Wednesday at 11:07 p.m., officers arrested a male for OVI who was working at the time as a taxi driver for Swerve’Em Taxi, according to Jones. “He was also cited for open container in a motor vehicle and littering from a motor vehicle,” Jones said.
“GBD festivities began to present themselves at approximately 2 a.m. on March 16, in the form of off-campus house parties. Officers issued a few noise and litter citations before the party-goers moved to the uptown business district where some of the bars opened at 5:30 a.m,” Jones reported. “Officers conducted several uniformed bar checks and patrolled the area. The Ohio Investigative Unit conducted plainclothes operations in the bar and conducted permit holder inspections. No arrests or violations were discovered in the bars.”
During the time period between 7-10 a.m. the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Butler County OVI Task Force conducted an OVI checkpoint at the intersection of Main Street and Church Street in uptown Oxford. Other agencies which assisted included the Butler County Sheriff’s Office, Oxford Township Police, and the Hamilton Police Department.
One arrest was made from the OVI checkpoint. The Ohio State Highway Patrol also made an additional OVI arrest while conducting saturation patrols near the checkpoint.
Thursday afternoon, March 16, the off-campus house parties began to grow in size and enforcement efforts focused on those parties, according to Jones. “Multiple citations and arrests were made, most occurring between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.,” Jones said.
Offense totals for the 24-hour period between Thursday at 2 a.m. and Friday at 2 a.m. included: 26 for underage possession/consumption; one fake ID; five disorderly conduct, public intoxication; 17 noise violations; six litter citations; one nuisance party; one obstructing official business; six open containers; two jaywalking; one criminal trespass.
“The Oxford Police Department would like to thank the many students who acted responsibly and respectfully throughout the day as well as the community members and organizations that stepped up and assisted with prevention efforts such as alternative programming and distribution of water, food, and educational materials,” Jones said. “We believe that many of the educational efforts in the weeks leading up to this day were effective.”
