Penn State University police on Tuesday responded to concerns and reactions pertaining to the helicopter used to break up a tailgate party prior to the game against Ohio State on Saturday night.



The brief written statement sides with state police and offers justification for using the helicopter, which flew low, kicking up dust and sending chairs, cups and napkins flying. Some tailgaters not directly involved in the disruption questioned the judgement of churning up so much wind in close proximity to things such as hot charcoal grills. Videos of the helicopter hovering barely above the tree line went viral, resulting in national news coverage and more questions about whether it was justified.



"University Police wishes to reassure fans that officers were responding to the circumstances on the ground, which involved numerous law violations, including serious threats to officer safety within a disorderly crowd. Unruly individuals refused to disperse following verbal commands and at least one officer suffered injuries. It is rare to resort to these expanded interventions; however, when all other warnings from the mounted police unit and officers on the ground were ignored, a Pennsylvania State Police helicopter was deployed as another tool to compel the group to disperse and curb dangerous and unruly behavior. Following the use of the helicopter, the dangerous behaviors dissipated," according to the statement.

According to earlier information from state police, the helicopter was called in after a horseback-mounted state police unit was unable to disperse a gathering of about 500 people. Some people in the gathering assaulted the horses and a state trooper sustained a broken wrist, state police said.