'Otis the town drunk' arrested for 71st time

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BY KEN KOSKY
kkosky@nwitimes.com
219.548.4354 | Tuesday, December 02, 2008 | (13 comment(s))

PORTAGE | Douglas E. Smith -- the man believed to be the most arrested person ever in Porter County -- was arrested again Thursday.

It was his 71st arrest.

Smith, 49, of 358-A Salt Creek Parkway, Valparaiso, was arrested on charges of public intoxication, resisting and intimidation.

Portage police said they received a call at 1 a.m. Thursday from a resident of one of the lots at 1766 Samuelson Road. Police said Smith apparently went to the wrong home and was knocking on the door and trying to get inside.

Police said they arrived and attempted to arrest Smith on a public intoxication charge, but he resisted arrest and threatened to batter police if they didn't remove his handcuffs.

Smith -- who calls himself "Otis the town drunk" -- said in an earlier interview that he has been arrested for public intoxication so many times that people he sees at taverns occasionally approach him and ask for his autograph. He has spent about half his adult life behind bars.

Smith told The Times he began drinking when he was about 18. Smith brags that he can drink two cases of beer in a day, or can gulp down six bottles of wine or three fifths of hard liquor. He said he has walked around with a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.45, enough to put most people in a coma.

Court records show Smith has been treated for alcoholism numerous times, including at least three inpatient stays.

Prior to Thursday, Smith had gone 4 1/2 months without being arrested. His last arrest July 12 was made after police responded to a report of an intoxicated man stumbling around in the area of Hidden Waters and Amanda in Portage. A vast majority of Smith's arrests have been on alcohol charges.

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Jay wrote on Dec 2, 2008 7:32 PM:

" I'd have to agree that this individual is leading a very "sad" existence and needs help realizing this. It becomes a never-ending cycle because even the Police think of this as a big joke. And then they contact the press, which seem to think that any news is good news. And the wheel keeps turning when people read about this and tell other people, which in turn, GLORIFY this sad man's life and turn him into a celebrity. It all falls to common sense...don't pay attention and it will eventually go away. "

Hammerhead wrote on Dec 2, 2008 1:15 PM:

" Did he have a Public Defender for most of those cases? At taxpayer expense? Enough is enough. File the Habitual Substance Offender Enhancement against him. Time for jail. Do your job Prosecutors. "

re wanachaw wrote on Dec 2, 2008 12:31 PM:

" Whats wrong with you? This guys not 'awesome' He's trash. And if you think thats cool then take a good look at him cuz that's your future. "

Tragic wrote on Dec 2, 2008 11:57 AM:

" His poor family. He isn't the only one suffering when he does these things. How sad "

Casual reader wrote on Dec 2, 2008 11:52 AM:

" Reply to "This isnt funny":
Did you even read the article? Where does it say he's on the road or that he drove anywhere? He knocked on the wrong door so he should remain in jail for good? How does that hurt you? Most of our elected officials in NWI deserve much more jail time than one dude who likes to drink. You could learn something from this guy. "

Porter County Tolerance wrote on Dec 2, 2008 11:00 AM:

" If this man walked in my house by mistake, I do believe the police would have a bigger problem than resisting and public intox. If this was a person who had stole 71 times or even had 71 speeding tickets, are you telling me there would be no repercussions? We let repeat child molesters get off with time served and 4 months probation, I guess I shouldn't be that surprised. "

Sad wrote on Dec 2, 2008 10:35 AM:

" Putting him behind bars won't help him at all. He needs more treatment, not glorification in the paper. This is someone's brother, son, cousin, etc, even possibly father. Should not be treated as a joke. "

WANACHAW wrote on Dec 2, 2008 10:07 AM:

" That guy is awesome. Hopefully he gets out in time for christmas. I'm inviting him over. I bet I know a present he'll love. Then I'll drop him back off in the haven. "

wow wrote on Dec 2, 2008 8:43 AM:

" And he's proud of it. Thats sick. He's a habitual offender lock him up. All he does is waste police time. We're lucky he cant afford a car or he'd be out endangering us all. "

This isnt funny wrote on Dec 2, 2008 8:30 AM:

" This guy and Portage may think this is funny, but the guy needs to be put and kept behind bars, and not the liquid ones! This is not a laughing matter. It's a shame how they think this that being arrested 71 times is a big joke to them. Why does this guy still have his license or is he driving without one. Get him off the roads! "

Ugh wrote on Dec 2, 2008 7:47 AM:

" That is definitely not something to be proud of. Send him to rehab. "

news wrote on Dec 2, 2008 7:47 AM:

" Why put this in the paper? You are only making it worse by glorifying it and giving him attention.

The guy clearly has problems and needs to be locked up in rehab. Alcoholism is a very serious disease. "

Tax Payer wrote on Dec 2, 2008 7:18 AM:

" What ever happened to three strikes rule? Get this guy off the streets before he kills someone, and this bragging will help their court case!!!!!
At least Otis put himself in jail knowing what is right-and never drove a weapon! "

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