The Oxford Police Department (OPD) issued six civil citations to Miami University students for violation of Oxford’s mass gathering ban on Sept. 5. At least five of the cited students were under quarantine protocols for COVID-19 at the time of the incident.
These are the first citations given by OPD in violation of the mass gathering ban since its implementation on Aug. 18.
Around 4 p.m. last Saturday, OPD officer Matthew Hatfield approached a residence on E. Walnut Street because the residents’ music was able to be heard 25 feet from the property line, a legal violation in Oxford.
According to the police report, Hatfield noticed a group of seven people standing on the porch and asked who lived at the residence. Only one student, Zach Williams, responded saying that he did.
Willams told Hatfield that around 20 people were inside his residence at the time. Hatfield told Williams to clear the house of non-residents.
Due to the pandemic, Hatfield did not enter the residence. However, he reported only eight people walking out of the house.
Hatfield ran Willams’ information through the Law Enforcement Automated Data System (LEADS), a database for the Ohio Highway Patrol, and noticed that he had tested positive for the coronavirus on Aug. 31. According to Hatfield’s report, Williams also said he was supposed to be under quarantine.
Williams reportedly said everybody living in his home had tested positive for the coronavirus as well.
After discussing with his supervisor, Hatfield issued citations to the home’s five residents. Alexander Occhino, a student who did not live at the residence but was staying there for the weekend, also received a citation.
The citation costs $500 for each individual.
“Every situation has different circumstances,” said OPD Lieutenant Lara Fening. “They are not always able to be caught in the act. But what happened this weekend was bad and a pretty selfish move.”
Later that day, Matthew Conarroe, one of the residents issued a citation, came to OPD headquarters wishing to file trespassing charges on the guests who were at his home.
Enjoy what you're reading?
Signup for our newsletter
Hatfield told Conarroe that he alone could not file trespassing charges, and if willing, he could appeal the citation to dispute the allegations.
One resident, Logan Harrelson, informed Hatfield that he did not participate in the mass gathering and was sick in bed during the incident. He was still cited.
Samuel Almond and Matthew Allen were the final two recipients of citations during the incident on Saturday.
Williams, Harrelson and Almond did not respond to requests for comment.
Occhino, Conarroe and Allen declined to comment on the story.
“The easygoing attitude about this is a little shocking from the people involved,” Fening said. “And I would sure hope that there is a better understanding of the overall severity of this problem and the consequences, individually and of our society.”
Read More
Meet Jack Vaughn, Miami’s very own “Butterfly Man”
By Parker Green | 3 hours agoIn the Hefner Museum basement, below taxidermied animals from across the world, a storage room houses a giant metal box, the inside containing the lifelong work of former Miami University biology professor Jack Vaughn: a collection of meticulously labeled and organized butterflies from all 50 states.
‘Outrageous’: First-Year Integrated Core attendance policy sets high bar for business students
By Parker Green | YesterdayFor first-year students in the Farmer School of Business, going to class is no laughing matter.
Styling your dog doesn’t have to be ruff
By Chloe Southard | 3 days agoDressing your pup makes them stand out, and sometimes it’s actually beneficial for them. Plus, it’s cute as hell. As long as your dog is comfortable with whatever you dress them in, keeping their wardrobe as fresh as yours is a fun and rewarding experience.