Brawls break out during PIB's Xmas in July

PUT-IN-BAY — Chaos erupted all across Put-in-Bay Saturday during the notorious Christmas in July event.Videos circulating on Facebook show brawls taking place outside an establishment at nighttime on South Bass Island and on a Miller Ferry boat.Throughout Saturday, a large police presence — including the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ottawa County Sheriff's Office and Put-in-Bay police — swarmed the downtown area. Some officers even stood atop buildings, providing an "overwatch" patrol from a bird's-eye view.From the Miller Ferry scuffle, Catawba Island police arrested at least three people. On the island, Ohio State Highway Patrol personnel charged a few people for operating a vehicle under the influence.Neither Put-in-Bay police Chief Steve Riddle nor Put-in-Bay police Lt. Doug Miller returned phone calls and messages left by the Register for more information.Many users on Facebook blamed "the busloads of people from Detroit" as the main culprits for this commotion."Go back to Detroit," Roger Lee posted on The Talk of Port Clinton (uncensored) Facebook page.Added Doug Ash on Put in Bay Daily's Facebook page: "I have been coming to the islands since the 1960s, and I have to say that I still can't believe what went on. I am still shaking my head at the utter disrespect this group of people had for themselves, the business(es) and the island in general."And Vincent Sutowski also commented on the daily's page: "All you have to do is look towards the docks. Publics, The Keys, Crews Nest, all empty. All of your loyal every-weekend customers have stayed away. All the bars are actually empty because the visitors don't want to spend money at the local establishments. I hope you can do something to prevent the 25 buses from Detroit because it's nothing but a lose-lose for everyone on the island."Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.A video published online by Facebook user Ashley Winchester records part of a melee occurring Saturday on the Miller Ferry either going to or leaving Put-in-Bay for the Christmas in July event.