IUPatty's revelers called 'manageable'

After a night Friday with few arrests, Saturday saw more large gatherings as part of IUPatty's, the student organized celebration of St. Patrick's Day at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

IUP spokeswoman Michelle Fryling said several large parties in Indiana Borough and White Township were broken up by police Saturday afternoon as police made their presence known.

“We know there's a lot of people out,” Fryling said. “There's definitely some large gatherings and police are present and making sure they're orderly.”

Large “respectful” crowds Friday kicked off the first night of celebrations, Fryling said. Crowds were orderly and respectful of police.

“(Friday) night, all in all, was reported as quite busy but manageable,” she said.

The event, which was expected to continue into early Sunday, was far more orderly than in some recent years.

In 2014, the borough was the site of brawls among partiers that were videotaped and posted online. Officials said many of the problems that year were not caused by university students.

On Friday, campus police reported 11 arrests for underage drinking, including one person also charged with public drunkenness and disorderly conduct. There also was one arrest for marijuana possession and another for an open container.

Borough police responded to 21 calls and five code violations during the night, Fryling said.

State police reported no arrests or citations Friday night or Saturday afternoon stemming from the celebrations.

Tom McGee is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724-850-2867.