Dozens of University of Missouri students detained on Stop Day

Dozens of University of Missouri students were arrested during the university’s stop day festivities, with most arrests related to minors in possession of alcohol. The tradition of Stop Day, also known as Reading Day, is meant to provide students with extra time to study and catch up on classwork before finals week.

University spokesman Christian Basi stated that while most students used the day responsibly, a significant number were arrested for underage drinking during large parties and gatherings on campus. The Columbia Police Department and University of Missouri Police worked together to monitor the situation, with CPD enforcing the city’s nuisance ordinance which prohibits gatherings of 10 or more people resulting in ordinance violations.

Freshman Arabella Cosgrove described the scene as chaotic, with parties spilling onto the streets and a noticeable police presence. She mentioned seeing an ambulance and a student in handcuffs, indicating that the day’s festivities were not without incident. Despite the potential dangers of large crowds and excessive drinking, Cosgrove appreciated the police presence for maintaining some level of order.

The Columbia Fire Department responded to several medical emergency calls on the same day, although it is unclear if they were directly related to Stop Day activities. Overall, the combination of excessive drinking, large gatherings, and potential ordinance violations made for a busy day for law enforcement and emergency services in Columbia.