MANKATO, MN -
From drunk and disorderlies to more serious crimes, alcohol–related calls for service are stretching Mankato Public Safety's resources.
Deputy Director Matt Westermayer says, "A lot of our call load is generated by alcohol."
And often when they respond to those calls, no crime has actually occurred, just someone drank more than they should have.
Westermayer says, "What do we do with this person, are they able to fend for themselves and take care of themselves?"
If there is no responsible adult around to take care of them, Westermayer says their only option is a detox facility.
Over the past month, public safety has had to take 28 people, almost half of them students, to the detox facility in New Ulm, or if that is full, elsewhere, as far away as Willmar.
Westermayer says, "We don't have the staff we don't have the resources to continue as we have, things have to change."
Deputy Director Matt Westermayer says that if laws aren't being broken, it shouldn't be law enforcement's responsibility.
Westermayer says, "It's simply not a law enforcement problem, yet we are the ones that are left to try and figure it out and try to find a safe place for these people."
That is why public safety is looking for others to step up and help, and for community members and business owners to help curb drinking in general.
Westermayer says the culture of drinking has changed, and they are seeing higher alcohol levels than ever—some as high as .5's.
Westermayer says, "When I first started 26 years ago, a .4 was unheard of, and it too several years before I ever heard of or saw a .4, and now .4's are really not that uncommon."
Public safety has increased patrol in problem areas and future efforts include enlisting the help of a 'Volunteers in Police Service' unit and bringing together community stakeholders, like business, universities, and public health, to look at the problem and how combat it.
Westermayer says, "We simply can't be the only means by which this problem is addressed.
This is homecoming week for MSU–Mankato.
So stepped up enforcement's are in place to deal with increased crowds and calls for service, and officers remind everyone that if you are drinking, to drink responsibly.
