80 arrested at Ohio Halloween party

25 party-goers ended up in the emergency room for alcohol-related reasons

October 29, 2012 08:59 AM

In this June 12, 2006 file photo, a gate with a historic marker is shown on the Ohio University campus in Athens, Ohio. Ohio University, set in an Appalachian town known for its rowdy Halloween bashes, has been named the nation’s No. 1 party school.

By Jim Woods
The Colombus Dispatch

ATHENS, Ohio — Eighty people were arrested, many on alcohol-related offenses, at the annual Halloween block party near Ohio University, which is a 38 percent decrease from last year’s arrest total.

University police arrested 31 people between 3 p.m. Saturday and 3 a.m. yesterday when the streets were cleared. Athens police arrested 49 people in addition to 15 others between 3 p.m. Friday and 3 a.m. Saturday.

Last year, 129 people were cuffed during the party weekend.

Athens County Emergency Medical Services had 34 calls for assistance with 25 people going to the emergency room. Most calls were alcohol-related.

Athens city police say that, of their 49 arrests, 18 were for underage intoxication and 24 for disorderly by intoxication.

The party dispersed by 2:30 a.m.

Officials say the size of the crowd was comparable to past years, but the rainy weather and temperatures in the 40s might have dampened the activities.