LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. — Thousands of people arrive at the Lake for a good time every summer weekend. And there are always a few who specialize in bad decisions.
Here's a look at a few instances we found in the weekend's police dispatch logs that felt... emblematic of the "anything can happen" attitude police officers and deputies have to have as they prepare for the weekend shift.
#1. Left Behind After A Bachelorette Party
Cops were called to an interesting one on Saturday. Dispatch discussion: "He got left behind after a bachelorette party. He doesn't know where he is... doesn't have a phone."
We didn't get any more info about this encounter, but honestly, what we have is enough.
#2. That's A Terrible Hiding Spot
Whether it's Adam and Eve hiding in the Garden of Eden, or a drunk guy laying in the grass next to a church... you're gonna get found.
On Saturday night, authorities were called out to Lake Ozark Christian Church, which sits at one end of the Bagnell Dam Strip.
Authorities were told a man was laying in the grass. One officer said he had shined his spotlight on the man. "Trying to get him to move," the officer told dispatch.
He would not move.
A person from the church — which sees an abundance of late-night summer antics on the Strip — reportedly told dispatchers they had shined a flashlight on the man in the grass, but he was refusing to get up and leave.
We figure he just wanted to save a good spot for the Sunday morning service.
#3. Smells Like Teen... Something
Officers were called out to Flynn Road on Saturday night in response to a report of a high school party that had gotten out of control.
Dispatch told cops the reporting party had said they were getting concerned about the weekend-long party at the location in Lake Ozark, saying the party had gotten rowdy and teenagers were puking.
Turns out the school of life doesn't take summer vacation.
#4. Dancing In The Street... But It's An Ozarks Highway
Highway 42 is infamously one of the most precarious highways in the Lake area, with its hairpin turns and blind hills.
Most folks wouldn't consider it an optimal spot for dancing. But when the mood strikes...
Saturday evening, authorities were called to a report of a person dancing in the middle of the highway.
"Be responding," the officer replied. Indeed do, post-haste. But arrive with a playlist.
