COLUMBUS -- The Ohio State University is posting images and video footage on the University Police web site to encourage people to come forward and identify both students and non-students who participated in last weekend’s rioting on Chittenden Avenue.

Images are posted on the University Police website, http://www.ps.ohio-state.edu/police, and anyone who can identify offenders is asked to call 292-2121. If individuals with knowledge wish to remain anonymous, they can click on the Silent Witness link on the Ohio State Public Safety Home Page.

William H. Hall, interim vice president for student affairs, said two students on Monday provided the videotapes now posted. He said he is hopeful that more images will be forthcoming.

“The university community and the citizens of Columbus are disgusted by these events,” Hall said.  “A relatively few number of people, some who are Ohio State students and some who are not, are causing a great deal of expense to the city and to individuals, and endangering lives.  Reason and education have failed to change this behavior, so it is necessary to provide a strong disincentive in the form of real, substantial punishment.  Similar photo identification procedures have been successfully used at Michigan State, Purdue, Penn State and other universities to sort out individuals from the mob and to press charges.  Once the word gets out here that individuals cannot count on anonymity for protection, I am hopeful this disgraceful behavior will end.”

Rewards of up to $250 are being offered to persons who provide videotapes or still photos that help identify persons who committed serious offenses during the disturbances.  To qualify for a reward, the video or photo must lead either to an arrest of a student or non-student or to the initiation of university judicial proceedings against an Ohio State student for engaging in any of these activities:

• Any activity that causes substantial destruction of property
• Any activity that causes serious harm to health or safety
• Any activity defined as a crime of violence in the Code of Student Conduct.  These include offenses such as arson, assault and aggravated riot.
  

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(LO)