Media Release: Spring 2026 Pub Crawl
May 07, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OSHKOSH POLICE DEPARTMENT
Date: 05/06/2026
Time: 3:15 PM
Contact: Officer Kate Mann
Public Affairs/ Crime Prevention Officer
(920) 236-5742
Subject: Spring 2026 Pub Crawl
Pub Crawl is an unsanctioned event (no individual sponsor of the event) that is NOT City-sponsored, NOT University-sanctioned and has been increasingly associated with disruptive and, at times, violent behavior. In recent years, the Pub Crawl has created growing operational challenges for the Police Department.
Both the October 2025 event and the most recent Pub Crawl involved weapons-related incidents, underscoring the increasing public safety risks associated with the event. This event continues to create serious safety concerns for the community. Officers responded to multiple physical disturbances tied to crowd behavior, disorderly conduct, and excessive consumption of alcohol.
These incidents required a substantial amount of law enforcement resources, placing a strain on law enforcement, emergency services, neighborhoods, and taxpayers. These large-scale responses required Officers, equipment, planning, and coordinated support from multiple agencies. Those resources are diverted from other community needs in order to manage the event.
In response, the department devoted additional planning and staffing resources this year to help protect attendees, the community, and responding personnel. Members from several OPD specialized teams worked diligently to enhance law enforcement presence in the residential neighborhoods near campus during this unsanctioned event. Officers from the Oshkosh Police Department, the UW-Oshkosh Police Department, the Wisconsin State Patrol, and deputies from the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office were on scene during this unsanctioned event.
The April 2026 Pub Crawl consisted of the following calls for service:
Officers responded to approximately 65 calls for service in the areas of the Pub Crawl event. Officers responded to a variety of calls for service, including: Disturbances, Ordinance Violations, Noise Complaints, Damage to Property, OWI, Reckless Driving, Suspicious People, Trespassing, Violation of a Court Order, Welfare Check, and a Weapons complaint.
A total of 10 individuals were taken to jail in the area where the Pub Crawl events/house parties were taking place (this includes a 23-year-old male arrested for shooting a 17-year-old Oshkosh high school student).
Officers wrote citations for a variety of violations, including speeding, disorderly conduct, juvenile alcohol, open intoxicants, property damage, resisting, obstructing (Fake ID), possession of THC, underage consumption/ possession of alcohol, urinating in public, and littering.
Ages of individuals who had law enforcement contact during this event:
Particularly concerning is the number of teens and young adults who are drawn to this event despite being under the legal drinking age and vulnerable to risky decision-making.
Costs Associated with Pub Crawl:
- Oshkosh Police Department $28,162
- University of Oshkosh Police Department $7,124
- Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office $4,391
- Wisconsin State Patrol $4,984
- Total: $44,661
The Pub Crawl event has occurred biannually for several years. In recent years, the event has been associated with significant disturbances, including incidents involving weapons. The following summarizes what occurred during the Fall 2025 Pub Crawl.
Fall 2025 Pub Crawl:
Weapons incident:
Officers responded to reports of several males brandishing firearms and pointing firearms at people in the area. A 17-year-old from Neenah was arrested for Possession of a Dangerous Weapon by a Person under 18, First Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Resisting/ Obstructing an Officer, and Disorderly Conduct.
Disturbance:
During a large disturbance involving approximately 100 people, an Officer was knocked to the ground and sustained a head injury.
Battery/ Weapons incident:
A battery suspect fled from a Wisconsin State Trooper. During the foot pursuit, the Trooper observed a handgun in the suspect's possession. The 20- year-old suspect, Cale Agamaite, from Ripon was taken into custody for a Probation Hold. He was federally indicted in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8)- Unlawful Felon in Possession of a Firearm. He was sentenced to 6 years in federal prison, followed by 3 years on supervised release
The Oshkosh Police Department urges students, parents, residents, landlords, and visitors to make responsible and informed decisions about participating in Pub Crawl.
Events characterized by excessive alcohol consumption, large crowds, and house parties significantly increase the likelihood of criminal activity and disorderly behavior. This is not a harmless event; its consequences extend well beyond a single weekend, affecting public safety, neighborhood quality of life, and community resources. This event has increasingly become a problem, with individuals from outside our community traveling to Oshkosh to participate, resulting in citations and arrests. Only 14% of individuals who received citations were University of Wisconsin Oshkosh students. Of the 10 individuals that were taken into custody, only 2 of them are residents of the City of Oshkosh (none were University of Wisconsin Oshkosh students).
We remain committed to protecting the safety and well-being of our residents and will continue to take swift, decisive action in response to conduct that threatens public safety. The safety and security of our community remains our highest priority. We are also exploring enhanced ordinances to help address issues that impact our community.
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