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Post-game chaos doesn’t cause any major problems

By George Diepenbrock (Contact)

Posted Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Monday night’s massive national championship celebration left its mark on the city with broken windows, fights, two burned cars and dozens of injuries.

But police say overall the night was a success, considering an estimated 40,000 people flocked downtown.

“While there were a few things that went on, with that number of people, for that kind of celebration in the downtown Lawrence business district, I think there were relatively few and mostly minor incidents,” said Sgt. Paul Fellers, a Lawrence police spokesman.

Fellers said officers arrested three people related to the celebration: one on suspicion for battery during the Kansas University game, one for criminal damage and one for disorderly conduct and criminal damage.

Lawrence Memorial Hospital’s emergency room also reflected some of the craziness. Of the 107 patients who visited there Monday night, hospital officials attributed 55 injured people to the celebration.

They were mostly treated for intoxication, lacerations and orthopedic injuries. Fifty-two were treated and released, one was admitted and two were transferred, said Janice Early-Weas, an LMH spokeswoman.

“We were prepared for an influx of patients and exactly these kinds of injuries,” she said.

Lawrence police said officers were busier compared with Saturday night’s celebration because the crowd was larger. Again, several area agencies helped out as about 200 officers policed the area.

Capt. Randy Allan of the Ottawa Police Department said his agency volunteered officers, and Lawrence did not pay them. It is part of an agreement many cities and agencies have, and Lawrence officers could also help in Ottawa at some time if needed.

Fellers said the Lawrence Police Department was still figuring its overtime pay for officers on Tuesday.

The game and celebration did keep police busy. They responded to four injury accidents, including one at 11 p.m. near Sixth Street and Frontier Road, where a power pole was damaged.

Arson investigators are looking into a vehicle fire reported at 11 p.m. in the 300 block of West 14th Street, where a white Toyota sustained $2,000 in damage and a blue Mercedes-Benz had $1,000 in damage.

Five businesses near downtown reported broken windows, and there were reports of a couple of vehicle windows being broken also.