State Patty’s Day police reports rise sharply

State Patty’s Day 2016 was what millennials would call “lit.”

Swarms of students and an influx of out-of-towners made their way to downtown State College bars on Saturday while police attempted to maintain order and safety.

State College police said that from noon Friday until noon Sunday, 123 arrests and citations were made, a 56 percent jump from 2015. At least two sexual assaults of women were reported, but police say that number is preliminary and could rise.

State College police Capt. Matthew Wilson said the first alleged assault took place Thursday night and was reported Friday. The second incident occurred Saturday night and was reported Sunday morning. Charges have yet to be filed.

Police said at least 15 people were directed by officers to be transported to Mount Nittany Medical Center due to severe alcohol poisoning. Overall, Centre LifeLink EMS said 46 of 75 calls between 6 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Sunday were alcohol related and 43 patients were transported to Mount Nittany’s emergency room.

Between State College and Penn State police, a total of 207 crimes were reported, a 47 percent increase from last year. The departments responded to a total of 507 calls for service, including traffic stops and building inspections, a 38 percent increase from 2015. Of those calls, 316 cases were filed, up 46 percent from last year, according to police.

While the numbers are still preliminary, Wilson said they are “definitely greater than they were last year, but still significantly under numbers from 2011.”

In 2011, police responded to 656 calls for service and 490 cases were filed.

This story was originally published February 29, 2016 at 7:50 PM with the headline "State Patty’s Day police reports rise sharply."