Welcome Week was relatively calm this year, according to University Police.
Jim Duckham, chief of Ball State's University Police Department, said in a statement through Ball State’s public relations department that crime was low and officers had fewer incidents than usual.
"Welcome Week went very smoothly,” Duckham said. “UPD officers enjoyed engaging with incoming and returning students, as well as their families, and we’re excited for the new academic year.”
From Aug. 14 to Aug. 21, UPD made nine arrests, and not all arrestees were Ball State students. Calls for UPD ranged from illegal possession of alcohol and driving while intoxicated to theft and criminal mischief, according to UPD call logs.
Two Ball State students were cited for illegal possession of alcohol and consumption of alcohol by a minor, on Aug. 19 and 20, respectively. Both occurred on Riverside Avenue late at night.
Also on Aug. 19, UPD cited an Indianapolis man for illegal possession of alcohol and consumption of alcohol by a minor.
On Aug. 20, UPD arrested a Muncie man for public intoxication, illegal possession of alcohol and consumption of alcohol by a minor. They cited a Leo, Indiana, man for public intoxication, illegal possession of alcohol and consumption of alcohol by a minor. They also arrested a Muncie man for public intoxication and unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle in commission of a crime.
On Aug. 18, Muncie Police Department arrested a Ball State student for driving while intoxicated. They arrested another person for the same offense on the 19th.
The Muncie Police Department also arrested three Ball State students for driving a vehicle while intoxicated on Aug. 20, and another for an alcohol offense. On Aug. 21, an MPD officer arrested another Ball State student for driving while intoxicated.
Indiana Excise Police, who are usually on patrol in the Ball State area during Welcome Week, could not confirm their presence on campus or that any citations were issued before the start of the new school year on Aug. 22.
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