A2 POLICE REPORT FEWER OFFENSES

Despite a recent push in the Michigan state government to strengthen
marijuana laws in Ann Arbor - thought to cultivate illegal drug use
throughout the state - none of the city's law enforcement agencies
reported any major criminal violations this weekend at the 27th annual
Hash Bash on the Diag.

Neither Ann Arbor Police Department officials nor Department of Public
Safety officials reported disruptions in connection to a protest
against marijuana laws. The participants procured an amplification
permit to use the Diag from noon until 1 p.m. and did not exceed their
time limit.

To handle the estimated 5,000 people who congregated in the city
Saturday and to ensure order, officers in Ann Arbor patrolled their
designated areas in teams comprised of state, city and campus police.

"Our officers were paired with officers from other agencies," DPS Lt.
Robert Neumann said. "This made it easier to spread out a little bit
more."

DPS officers acted as lead officials when patrolling the campus, with
officers from other agencies giving support. Officers patrolled campus
in this manner to avoid complications with jurisdiction.

Neumann also said about 12 undercover DPS officers walked campus
during the festival.

Prior to the annual event, AAPD officials said they did not foresee
any changes in their patrolling habits.

"We just have our usual shifts going out." AAPD Sgt. Flocken
said.

As of Saturday evening, AAPD officers had handed out 89 violations for
various offenses. In a written statement, AAPD officials said they did
not have any "major" problems with the large crowd that inundated the
Diag and the city's streets.

Unofficial reports from DPS state that 29 people were cited by DPS
officers for being in possession of marijuana in the Diag area,
Neumann said.

"The number of violations have decreased every year," Neumann said,
adding that DPS has not significantly changed any of its methods for
patrolling Hash Bash during the last five to 10 years.

The University campus falls under state laws governing the use of
marijuana. In the state of Michigan, possession of less than 25 grams
of marijuana is a misdemeanor and carries a fine of up to $2,000
and/or a sentence of up to one year in prison.

There is also a lesser offense for the use of marijuana which carries
a maximum jail term of 90 days and/or a maximum fine of $100.

But officers issued more offenses for violations unrelated to
marijuana.

Nine people received tickets for illegally selling items on the Diag
and an additional nine were ticketed for carrying or consuming alcohol
on city streets.

Four minors were ticketed for using and/or carrying
tobacco.

Those charged with marijuana violations were taken to the DPS office
located at 525 Church Street for processing. People who were arrested
and brought to the facility should expect a phone call from DPS
officials within the next few weeks.