Bar Owners, Police Taking A Stand Against State Patty’s Day

State College Police and local bar owners have taken a stand against the annual State Patty’s Day, after an overwhelming number of people were hospitalized and arrested for DUI.

The State College Tavern Association collectively decided not to open early this Saturday, or sell green beer for State Patty’s Day, an annual drinking holiday created by Penn State students back in 2007.

The owner of The Lions Den on Garner Street told WJAC-TV over the phone that he will not open his business at all Saturday.

State College Police were inundated with calls during last year’s event, reporting 14 DUI arrests and nearly two dozen people hospitalized with alcohol poisoning.

Even with the announcement, State College Police Captain Dana Leonard told WJAC-TV Tuesday that the department is moving forward with plans of bringing in extra officers, since last year’s event spanned the entire day.

“Halloween drinking might start at 8, 9, 10 o'clock at night. In the past, State Patty's Day starts at 7 a.m.,” explained Leonard. “That's been one grave concern; it's not an evening event, it's an all day, all evening, all night drinking event."

State College Police spent nearly $4,500 in overtime for officers during last year’s State Patty’s Day.