ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The Ashwaubenon Village Board passed the new ordinance Tuesday night, which will fine people for causing problems after they’ve had too much to drink.
Chief Eric Dunning of the Ashwaubenon Public Safety Department tells FOX 11 it’s a way to punish drunks that are causing enough issue to warrant an officer’s response, but not at a level where they should be taken to jail.
“It’s kind of a consequence of maybe having a good time that night and maybe on Monday morning you wake up going ‘boy there is that citation’ and ‘I’m not going to do that one again.”
Some examples of behavior that would warrant the new citation are someone trying to re-enter a bar after being kicked out, calling 911 for a ride because they’re too drunk to walk, falling down and needing help walking, being passed out in public, fighting, and public urination.
It is all behavior Dunning says does not rise to the level of disorderly conduct.
“To book someone in jail, it’s a higher threshold to get them in, where this we come across the individual, or we get called to the business, and we handle the situation, try to resolve the situation and the ordinance violation would be issued at that time.”
Dunning says the new rule isn’t just about Packers games, special events or any building in the area.
Citations will start being issued in the next few weeks.
A fine of $200 will be issued to first time offenders, with a $400 fine issued for any additional run-ins within the same year.
When it comes to drinking, Stadium View Manager Amanda Watson tells FOX 11 most people know how to handle themselves.
“99 percent of our customers aren’t the type that are going to go rolling out of here screaming and yelling and causing fight or doing anything like that.”
Watson says Stadium View rarely sees the type of behavior that would warrant the new citation, partly because effort is made to not allow it inside.
“They’re seen at the door and let out very quickly.”
Lambeau Field is Green Bay’s jurisdiction.
And while Green Bay doesn’t have a blanket ordinance like Ashwaubenon’s, they do have one for public events.
Problem drinkers during games could still face a fine of $880 for unlawful conduct.
