11-02-2025
Crowd takes over State College streets after Eagle's Super Bowl win
CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — After the Philadelphia Eagles took home the Lombardi Trophy Sunday night, hundreds celebrated in State College. However, the celebration became too chaotic for police.
As many headed out the door to celebrate in the streets of State College, a large crowd gathered at Beaver Avenue. The influx of people in the streets caused an alert to be sent out ordering those to go home or face arrest.
Police determined the event to be an unlawful assembly. The alert stated, 'I am Chief John Gardner with the State College Police Department. I hereby declare this to be an unlawful assembly and in the name of the People of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, order all those assembled at Beaver Ave to immediately disperse, which means to break up this assembly. If you do not do so, you may be arrested for violation of PA Crimes Code Title 18 sections 5507 A and bli, the first being a misdemeanor 3 and the second being a summary offense being committed in our presence. Persons remaining in the area may also be subject to other police action including the use of kinetic energy projectiles and chemical agents, which include: tear gas, CN, CS, pepper balls, pepper spray or OC. Use of these devices could result in serious injury. We would greatly appreciate and insist on your cooperation in complying with this lawful order to disperse and move off the roadway. Please return to your residence.'
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Videos posted on social media showed students walking on cars and climbing light poles. According to the State College Police Department, those celebrating did not comply with officers' request to stay out of the street and shut down the roadway around 10:20 p.m.
Police watched over the crowd until they said traffic control devices were removed and people started climbing streetlights and climbing on cars in the street. A message was then sent to the crowd through the public address system telling them to disburse.
At 10:55 p.m. police began clearing the roadway from West to East, completing thisprocess at 11:30pm. The police presence, accompanied by verbal instructions, weresuccessful in accomplishing this process. No chemical agents were deployed. Nophysical arrests were made. No injuries were reported.
Statement by the State College Police Department
After the crowd cleared, police found stop signs and one-way street signs stolen and one car parked in the street that was damaged. They added that State College Public Works is still assessing potential damage to light poles and street signs.
Police added that they will be using photos of the crowd to identify anyone responsible for any crimes committed. Anyone who may have video or information about the damage caused during this incident is asked to contact the State College Police Department at (814) 234-7150, by email or by sending an anonymous tip.
State College police were assisted by Pennsylvania State University, Patton Township, and Ferguson Township police departments.
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