At 11:10 p.m. on Oct. 1, an officer was conducting a foot patrol along the UW-Eau Claire footbridge. The officer observed a small flame light, then go out in Putnam Park. This type of flame is consistent with the use of lighters.

The officer noted that Putnam Park is a location where individuals often socialize, sometimes starting fires and engaging in illegal substances. With this in mind, the officer traveled to Putnam Park to further investigate the scene. 

Upon arriving at the scene, the officer observed a few persons sitting on Putnam Rock; they were talking and facing the water. The officer approached them, then introduced himself and explained the reason for contact. 

One of the persons denied that the party was smoking anything, but did provide the officer with two THC-based vaping devices. The party mentioned that they had seen another group further away on the rock smoking what they smelled to be pot. 

The officer told the party to come to the patrol car to speak before they could be released. After their discussion and citations were given in response to the vaping devices, the officer informed the party that they were free to leave. 

The officer took the THC-based vaping devices and entered them into evidence.

Unhoused individual at Haas Fine Arts Center 

At approximately 11:20 p.m. on Oct. 2, campus police received a call on the squad duty phone. A custodian in Haas Fine Arts Center reported that an unhoused individual was sleeping in an entrance to the building. 

An officer was dispatched to the scene and located the individual. Upon arrival, the officer saw that the individual was sleeping on the floor with a backpack of property near them. 

The individual stated that they were seeking shelter, and the officer asked how they had gotten into the building, as all the doors were locked. They responded, stating that they had opened the door. 

The officer informed the individual about the campus ordinance, how they had violated it and campus closing hours. After their conversation, the individual left the building.

The officer entered the individual as a known camper into Spillman and noted that they were warned about the ordinance violation. 

Structure at Putnam Park

On Oct. 2 at 1:08 a.m., an officer was conducting a food patrol in Putnam Park when they observed a makeshift structure on the shoreline between Putnam Prairie and Putnam Rock. The officer made their way to the structure to observe further and investigate. 

The officer could not find any indicators of who constructed it. The officer did not locate any illegal substances among the refuse. The structure and its surrounding items were photographed. 

After disassembling the structure, the officer returned to the campus police department and entered service cards for the cleaning of the garbage at the structure. 

Hirata can be reached at [email protected].