The number of city ordinance violations on Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day decreased by 32 percent this year, according to a Champaign Police Department press release.

According to the press release, the event resulted in 210 notices to appear, down by 100 from last year’s numbers.

Despite the decrease in violations, the number of criminal arrests increased, which the city attributed to the Social Host Law that went into effect Jan. 1. The new law states that individuals are criminally responsible if they host an event or social gathering and knowingly authorize underage possession or consumption of alcohol. Of the 33 state arrests issued, 21 were for made in violation of the law.  

Chancellor Phyllis Wise said at the Urbana-Champaign Senate meeting Monday that the University received minimal reports of disruptions.

“Even though we haven’t been able to close this activity down, I think we’ve had it under good control, which has been part of cooperation between our campus police and the police in Champaign,” Wise said. 

A total of 139 underage alcohol compliance checks were also conducted at local bars and restaurants by the Illinois Liquor Control Commission, Champaign Police, Urbana Police and the Illinois Department of Revenue’s Criminal Investigation Unit. Two licensees out of the 58 that were checked sold alcohol to underage Unofficial participants.

In addition, many on-campus bars received other licensee violations. Kam’s, Red Lion, Joe’s Brewery, White Horse Inn and The Clybourne received at least one violation from an alcohol compliance check.

“It truly takes the cooperation of all of the agencies to successfully deal with an event of this magnitude,” Champaign Police Lt. Jim Clark said in a press release. “Overall, we are pleased with the results of this year’s event.”