Fake Patty’s day in Aggieville continues to generate a lot of discussion, and Tuesday’s Riley County law board was no exception. Jeff Koenig of Big Poppi’s Bicycle and who lives on North 14th street, described a woman getting sick on his porch and a man trying to break into his home during last year’s event, which he describes as mayhem. Koenig was asked what his solution would be, to authorize overwhelming force to shut down the party. Law Board chair Karen McCulloh happens to live in the area near Aggieville, and indicated she’s also experienced problems from partiers in recent years.. Riley County attorney Barry Wilkerson, who serves on the law board, agreed something must be done.
However, board member Loren Pepperd said he didn’t want to see Manhattan turned into a police state. And RCPD Director Brad Schoen said there would likely be criticism from bar owners and civil libertarians.
Also commenting was Tim Fitzgerald, President of the Aggieville Business Association, who listed the many measures taken by Aggieville business owners to help control problems with the event.
Meanwhile, Schoen and Captain Tim Hegarty described what plans are for this year, with the main difference from last year being an increased police presence in the residential neighborhoods surrounding Aggieville.
Manhattan city commissioners recently decided not to pursue any official changes in dealing with the event, although groups are continuing to meet to consider what could be done.
In other business, law board members decided to stay with their usual meeting time on the third Monday of the month at noon unless, unless there is a holiday on that day–and heard about a possible timeline for this year’s budget process.
Comments also came from the public Tuesday from Caroll Hess, who suggested the possibility of crisis intervention training for local law enforcement to help deal with people with mental illness.
Another individual presented a 15 page letter dealing with alleged less than favorable encounters with RCPD over a seven year period.
And shootings are up in Riley county, and that has a lot of us concerned. That’s according to Riley County Police Director Brad Schoen, who told law board members Tuesday he’s heard that concern all around the community, but he adds his department is equally concerned by that. The matter was brought up by law board member Loren Pepperd.
On a brighter note, RCPD Captain Kurt Moldrup indicated the transition to consolidated dispatching is complete and has gone very well.
The law board also received an update from the Community Advisory board, which recently elected new officers.
