OSHKOSH – Law enforcement appears to have had enough.
Saying the event “continues to create serious safety concerns,” the Oshkosh Police Department revealed the force is exploring ordinances to address the biannual Pub Crawl following last month’s latest shooting incident.
OPD issued the statement via news release May 7 claiming officers arrested 10 individuals after responding to approximately 65 “calls for service” during the April 11 event.
“Both the October 2025 event and the most recent Pub Crawl involved weapons-related incidents, underscoring the increasing public safety risks associated with the event,” the department wrote in the release, saying the event is associated with violent behavior.
“These incidents required a substantial amount of law enforcement resources, placing a strain on law enforcement, emergency services, neighborhoods and taxpayers,” the department added.
Calls to Chief of Police Dean Smith, Oshkosh City Manager Rebecca Grill, Mayor Matt Mugerauer and UW-Oshkosh Chancellor Manohar Singh were not immediately returned.
What happened at the last Pub Crawl?
The OPD release comes just three weeks after 23-year-old Devon Price of Omro was charged with first-degree recklessly endangering safety, first-degree reckless injury and concealing a stolen firearm in connection with the Pub Crawl.
According to the criminal complaint, Price, who was also charged with possession of a firearm while intoxicated, shot a teenage bystander following an altercation near UW-Oshkosh.
Authorities said it was just one of many unlawful incidents connected to last month’s Pub Crawl, which resulted in officers writing citations for speeding, underage drinking, possession of fake identification, property damage and possession of THC.
OPD said the total costs associated with the department, UWO police, Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office and the State Patrol having to police the crawl came up to $44,661.
“These large-scale responses required officers, equipment, planning and coordinated support from multiple agencies,” police wrote in the statement. “Those resources are diverted from other community needs in order to manage the event.”
What is the Pub Crawl?
Despite not being sanctioned by the university, the twice-yearly Pub Crawl features a number of house parties and outdoor drinking events around the campus every April and October.
But police claim the event has gotten violent and disruptive in recent years, pointing to weapon incidents and violent disturbances.
Just last October, a 17-year-old Neenah man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a dangerous weapon by a person under 18, first-degree recklessly endangering safety, carrying a concealed weapon and resisting an officer.
Two years ago, then-21-year-old Lamont Brown was sentenced to prison for illegal possession of a firearm following an incident in which multiple shots were fired at the Pub Crawl.
What other concerns do authorities have with the Pub Crawl?
Police said they are also concerned with amount of underage drinking that occurs during the unsanctioned event and the number of individuals who are arrested who are not from Oshkosh.
According to the statement, 86% of the individuals cited are non-UWO students and eight of the 10 people arrested were not Oshkosh residents.
“This is not a harmless event; its consequences extend well beyond a single weekend, affecting public safety, neighborhood quality of life and community resources,” OPD wrote in the statement. “Events characterized by excessive alcohol consumption, large crowds, and house parties significantly increase the likelihood of criminal activity and disorderly behavior.”
Contact Justin Marville at jmarville@usatodayco.com and follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @justinmarville.
This article originally appeared on Oshkosh Northwestern: Oshkosh eyes new rules for Pub Crawl after 65 calls for service
Reporting by Justin Marville, Oshkosh Northwestern / Oshkosh Northwestern
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
