Nighttime stroll vs. flooded river

At approximately 10:50 p.m. on April 15, an officer stood at the base of the Garfield Avenue hill talking with the UW-Eau Claire campus safety officers. While talking to them, she saw a male walk down the hill to the Putnam Park area by the river.

The river level was very high and most of that area was closed because the path was covered with water. At approximately 10:59 p.m., the officer walked into the area to check on the male’s safety.

The officer observed the male on the footpath, introduced herself and explained the reason for contact. The male said he goes to the area to relax, and that he was okay.

The officer thanked him for his cooperation and asked him to be careful around the water. She left the area and went to Garfield Avenue.

Shortly after, the officer saw him leave the area.

Urinating under the influence

At approximately 12:41 a.m. on April 14, an officer was conducting foot patrol on the sidewalk to the south of the Haas Fine Arts Center. They observed a male standing in a position consistent with male urination and saw that the area he was standing in was wet.

The officer followed the man and made contact with him on the north end of the footbridge. They introduced themself to the male and explained the reason for contact.

The man stated he did not know public urination was not allowed. The officer asked for identification and the man provided his Blugold ID.

As the officer was speaking with him, they smelled a slight odor of alcohol coming from the man.

Initially, he stated he was walking back to Sutherland Hall from Kwik Trip on Water Street. The officer explained that they detected the odor of intoxicants coming from his person, and the man said he had a few beers within the past hour at an off-campus party.

The officer informed the man that they were going to issue him a citation for underage alcohol consumption. The Communications Center informed the officer the man did not have any prior convictions in the previous year.

The officer gave the man the option to walk with them to their squad car in the Haas Fine Arts parking lot to be issued his citation, or he could return to Sutherland Hall and contact him after completing the paperwork.

After the officer verbally warned him about urinating in public, the man walked toward Garfield Avenue.

The officer completed the underage alcohol consumption citation and drove to Sutherland Hall, where they observed the man walking toward the entrance.

They met him there and issued him his citation, along with an Eau Claire County Alcohol Offenders pamphlet and a clerk of courts payment envelope.

The officer answered the man’s questions regarding the contact and then cleared the area.

Mystery call by Horan

At approximately 12:59 a.m. on April 15, an officer was dispatched to Horan Hall. A 911 call was received from the emergency phone behind Horan, but no one spoke when the Communications Center answered the call.

The officer drove to Horan and checked the emergency phone located near the staircase leading to Lower Campus, but did not see anyone in the area.

She cleared the scene shortly after.

Price can be reached at [email protected].