Wausau considers public intoxication ordinance

WAUSAU, Wis. (AP) — A city committee has recommended Wausau adopt a public intoxication ordinance to deal with a growing problem with extreme public drunkenness.

The City Council is expected to take up the matter next month.

The ordinance would allow the city to levy $150 fines for heavy intoxication, with repeat offenses costing $300 plus court fees.

Police could fine people who were visibly incapacitated or intoxicated or who were creating a public nuisance.

Public Health and Safety Committee Chairwoman Lisa Rasmussen tells Daily Herald Media the ordinance would be the third step in addressing bad behavior tied to drunkenness. The city already allows police to ban disruptive people from city parks, and police are asking judges to bar people from returning to parks where they were arrested as a bond condition.