The following information was obtained from the UW-Eau Claire Police Department records.

The UW-Eau Claire police dealt with multiple cases including a traffic stop, a 911 hang-up and an underage drinker during the first full week of classes.

Traffic stop

At approximately 5:45 p.m. on Sept. 7, an officer was doing patrol on the 1 block of the Water Street bridge when the officer noticed a vehicle with an expired registration tag in front of their marked squad car.

They followed the vehicle and performed a record check. The check confirmed the 2011 Toyota Camry’s registration had expired on Jan. 31 which led to activating their lights and initiating a traffic stop.

The officer made contact with the driver and explained the reason for the stop. The driver told the officer they were unaware of the expired tag and completely overlooked it.

The driver’s license came back valid with no wants and was not probation.

The driver was given a citation for the expired registration in the bond amount of $175.30 and the officer answered his questions.

911 hangup 

At 8:52 p.m. on Sept. 11, an officer was dispatched by the Communications Center to North Towers Hall to access the elevator function. 

The Comms. Center advised that elevator cart three was possibly stuck on the sixth floor and the functionality of the elevator was unknown. At the time of the call, no one was heard inside the cart, but “fifth floor going down” was heard from the elevator.

Upon arrival, the officer observed the main indicator panel for cart three read floor nine, while cart four read floor five. The officer called cart three and the doors opened normally, they then sent the cart to the ninth floor.

The officer then called cart four from the fifth floor, which traveled down and up to the ninth floor without issue. The officer spoke with several residents of the building who reported not knowing of any problems with the elevators.

The cause of this case was most likely a result of someone accidentally activating the emergency button located within the elevator cart. 

The officer updated the Communications Center of their findings and cleared the scene.

Underage drinking 

At 12:55 a.m. on Sept. 12, an officer was doing a routine patrol in the 100 block of Garfield Ave. when they noticed an unknown subject walking down the sidewalk with an opened 24 oz. can of Coors Light Seltzer.

As the officer approached the subject they attempted to conceal the can behind their leg. The officer stopped to identify the subject and told them they could not be in public, on campus with an open container. They apologized and admitted fault.

When asked how much they had had to drink, the subject told the officer they drank half of the seltzer, another 12 oz. can and a mixed drink of unknown contents.

The subject submitted to a breathalyzer test and resulted in a .09 result. The officer also observed the subject’s slurred speech, bloodshot eyes and glassy appearance. The officer also smelled alcohol on the subject’s breath.

The subject dumped out the can and the officer properly recycled it.

The subject was valid to drive with no wants, wasn’t on probation or had any prior underage drinking convictions. The officer issued a citation for a first offense of underage drinking and possession.

The officer explained the citation and underage alcohol program brochure and answered the subject’s questions. The subject apologized again and was cooperative for the duration of the case.

Fanetti can be reached at [email protected].