MEDIA RELEASE

July 10, 2008

Contact: Captain B. Weimer

 Office (573) 882-5923
 Cellular (573) 999-1979

Statement on Smokestack Incident:

On July 10th, around 3:39 a.m., the University of Missouri Police Department (MUPD) received a call from the University Power Plant that a female was climbing the western most stack of the University Power Plant.  Officers responded to the scene and through the use of a public address system asked the female to stop climbing and return to the ground.  The female did not acknowledge the Officer’s request and continued to the top metal catwalk which is approximately 300 feet above the ground.

Upon reaching the top of the catwalk, the female laid down on the catwalk.  MUPD called for assistance from the Columbia Fire Department, Medical Personnel, Power Plant Employees, and the City of Columbia Police Department.  MUPD and the Columbia Fire Department developed a plan to assist the female safely down from the top of the stake but before the plan could be implemented the female climbed down from the stack.  (See Media Release from Battalion Chief Steven Sapp)

There were no visual signs of injury but as a precautionary step she was transported to Boone Hospital where she later refused any type of medical assistance.  The female was then transported to MUPD where an application for a 96 hour Imminent Harm Admission form was completed.  The female was transported to Mid Missouri Mental Health where she was transferred to the custody of Mid Missouri Mental Health. 

The female is described as a twenty three year old white female that lives in the City of Columbia.  She is not currently a student of the University of Missouri-Columbia.  Additional details on the woman’s identification cannot be released at this time.  Further investigation into this incident will determine if charges will be sought. 

MUPD 8-2008