Oct. 5, 2009
Police agencies in Menomonie reported a significant decrease in incidents over the University of Wisconsin-Stout Homecoming weekend.
The UW-Stout Police Department reported 37 citations from Thursday evening to Monday morning. That is a 26 percent decrease from the 50 citations they issued during the Homecoming weekend in 2008.
The Menomonie Police Department reported that 139 citations were issued from Friday afternoon through Sunday morning. That, too, was a 26 percent decrease.
University officials attributed the improvement to a variety of factors, including:
• The UW-Stout Smart+Healthy effort, intended to reduce alcohol and other problems through a social-norming campaign. This campaign is in its second year.
• A cooperative effort between the UW-Stout and city police departments, which led to effective enforcement of campus, city and state ordinances and laws.
• An emphasis on providing attractive activities for students to participate in or attend as an alternative to drinking. Officials reported healthy attendance at many events throughout the week.
• The generally cold and wet weather throughout the weekend.
Campus police reported they issued 29 citations for under-age drinking and a small number of citations for other infractions.
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