Police release damage report

By Heather Mangold
City Editor

Police involved in crowd patrol following the NCAA championship game on Sunday were quick to point out differences in the ways competing universities celebrated.

Sgt. Shanna Kennedy of the Indiana State Police said that Notre Dame celebrated its victory with cheers and song while Purdue celebrated the women's basketball season with malice.

"I wish I could understand the rationale for starting things on fire," said Kennedy. "It's very disappointing."

Kennedy said police expected student activity to occur following the game, but were unprepared for its severity.

"I don't think anybody actually believed we would have had the problems that we had last (Sunday) night," said Kennedy.

Two hundred police officers from West Lafayette, Lafayette and Tippecanoe County came to control the crowd, as well as officers from Purdue and Indiana State Police. The police used dogs, helicopters and tear gas to disperse the student crowds.

County police provided dogs because most people didn't want to get near them, said Kennedy. She said dogs were a less lethal form of crowd control that the police do not like using, but find beneficial in instances such as these. A helicopter was used to report fires and large crowds to police on foot, costing $2,500 for the night. The helicopter provided an effective method to disperse crowds by shining its spotlight on celebrating students, said Kennedy.

"It's amazing what happens when a crowd gets lit up; they run!" said Kennedy.

Police also used tear gas to break apart large crowds of students. Capt. Ron Fosnaugh of the Purdue police said that police had to travel back to headquarters to restock, but did not run out. The amount of tear gas used has not been established.

Kennedy said that the largest problem areas for student activity were at the intersections of 3rd and Waldron streets, as well as at 5th and Waldron streets. At one point a fire was so large that its flames were arching a power line and police were afraid that the line would snap, causing serious injury or death to many people, said Kennedy.

Kennedy said that in situations such as these, the police would use force to keep students under control.

"We cannot and will not tolerate criminal acts," said Kennedy.

Only six students were actually arrested on a variety of charges related to criminal activity.

Everett L. Owen,19, of Wiley Hall and a freshman in the Schools of Engineering, was arrested on charges of manufacturing an explosive device, according to a news release. Kevin M. Cook, 21, of 350 South Chauncey Ave. and a senior in the School of Liberal Arts, was arrested on charges of theft and criminal mischief. Jon W. Ilhan, 19, of 805 Hayes Street and a sophomore in the School of Science, was arrested on charges of criminal mischief. Douglas E. Meyer, 18, of McCutcheon Hall and a freshman in the School of Technology, was arrested on charges of criminal mischief. Kate M. Hatfield, 21, a former Purdue student, was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct. Christopher Helton, 18, of Tarkington Hall and a freshman in the Schools of Engineering, was arrested on charges of illegal possession of alcohol. According to the press release, additional charges are still pending for some of those arrested.

The estimated damage caused by vandals during Sunday night's celebration totaled $50,000 in damage to cars, trash bins, windows, a sports shed and trees on campus, according to the release. Estimates for damage to areas in West Lafayette surrounding campus are not yet available, but would include paying overtime to all officers who contributed.

Police said that although more than 1,000 students were on campus during the disturbance, only a few dozen were involved with vandalism.

"I feel sorry for the majority of the kids that stayed home and out of the way," said Kennedy. "It's a small number of people that do this. It's not fair."

When the Purdue women's basketball team won the NCAA Tournament Championship in 1999, students caused disturbances, but not to the degree that they did on Sunday, said Fosnaugh.

"We've seen more maliciousness on this occasion," he said.

The number of students gathered in the early stages of Sunday night's celebrations grew from approximately 70 to 700 within minutes, said Kennedy.

"That's scary when you talk about that number, that fast," she said. "You have to wonder how many more we'll have in the next few minutes when that happens."

Kennedy said that the largest number of students gathered in one place, at one time, on campus was estimated at 1,000. However, unofficial reports indicated that approximately 2,000 students assembled at one point in the Chauncey Street Village. Student activity began shortly after the conclusion of the game and lasted until around 1 a.m. Monday, said Kennedy.

Police release damage report

CITY DESK PHONE:
(765) 743-1111 ext. 250

City editor:
Heather Mangold

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Purdue Exponent 2001