GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A disturbance last weekend in downtown Green Bay was tough for handle for police officers, because they say people with cell phones and cameras hindered their efforts.
Hundreds of people crowded outside on Washington Street at bar close last Saturday as cops looked for a man with a loaded gun.
“The first responding officers were distracted from looking for that person because people insisted on getting in his face, getting too close, with their cell phone videos,” Police Capt. Jim Runge explained to FOX 11.
Runge says about 200 people were gathered, and several other fights were breaking out. Back-up was called from neighboring communities.
Local bar owners met with police to discuss strategies moving forward to keep the area safe. Travis Engels is general manager at The Nines.
“What happened isn’t what normally happens downtown, nor do we want that to keep on happening,” said Engels.
That includes more security on the street. Bar owners say they'll help pay for it.
Authorities eventually arrested Salvador Nunez after he got into a scuffle with two other men. Nunez has been charged with carrying a concealed weapon without a permit, and disorderly conduct.
Runge says police are looking for more surveillance video cameras that may have captured any other incidents. He adds citations could be issued.
(Additional reporting by FOX 11).