Spring Break
ASG, OPD discuss alcohol policies for off-campus living
Courtney Day
Issue date: 11/3/09 Section: Campus
Alcohol abuse is the biggest problem in Oxford and the root of the city's crime, said Oxford Police Sergeant Jim Squance at an open forum on safety and liability held Oct. 28 by Associated Student Government (ASG).
Squance said drinking opens students up to being victimized. He said alcohol use is a factor in the majority of violence, sexual assault and theft in Oxford.
"You just make poor decisions when you've had way too much to drink," Squance said. "I love you guys to death, but you really do some of the most God awful things."
Squance said the best way to avoid arrest is simply to not do anything thoughtless.
"If you don't want the police involved in your life, don't put a target on your back," Squance said. "If you are underage and drinking, don't urinate on your way home."
Sergeant Jon Varley of OPD said students often don't realize police won't give them trouble unless the police have probable cause - a reason to believe a crime is being committed or is going to be committed.
"If you are walking down High Street with a red cup, we have no reason to believe it's anything but water," Squance said.
Squance said in a situation like that a student will not be stopped unless they are acting suspicious. He said if the police do stop you, compliance is important.
"If you refuse to identify yourself, you will get arrested," Squance said.
Varley agreed.
"Being cooperative will more than likely get you some kind of reductions," Varley said.
Squance said there are four ways the police can legally come onto an off-campus property. Unless they have a search warrant, are in hot pursuit of a criminal or suspect or are tending to a medical emergency, police cannot come on your property without seeing a violation in plain view or having probable cause.
Squance said the No. 1 reason officers go onto private property is in response to noise complaints.
Varley said clearly audible noise 20 feet from the property line is considered a noise violation.
Squance said drinking opens students up to being victimized. He said alcohol use is a factor in the majority of violence, sexual assault and theft in Oxford.
"You just make poor decisions when you've had way too much to drink," Squance said. "I love you guys to death, but you really do some of the most God awful things."
Squance said the best way to avoid arrest is simply to not do anything thoughtless.
"If you don't want the police involved in your life, don't put a target on your back," Squance said. "If you are underage and drinking, don't urinate on your way home."
Sergeant Jon Varley of OPD said students often don't realize police won't give them trouble unless the police have probable cause - a reason to believe a crime is being committed or is going to be committed.
"If you are walking down High Street with a red cup, we have no reason to believe it's anything but water," Squance said.
Squance said in a situation like that a student will not be stopped unless they are acting suspicious. He said if the police do stop you, compliance is important.
"If you refuse to identify yourself, you will get arrested," Squance said.
Varley agreed.
"Being cooperative will more than likely get you some kind of reductions," Varley said.
Squance said there are four ways the police can legally come onto an off-campus property. Unless they have a search warrant, are in hot pursuit of a criminal or suspect or are tending to a medical emergency, police cannot come on your property without seeing a violation in plain view or having probable cause.
Squance said the No. 1 reason officers go onto private property is in response to noise complaints.
Varley said clearly audible noise 20 feet from the property line is considered a noise violation.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
MU Grad & Ox Res
posted 11/03/09 @ 2:34 AM EST
Coming to Oxford as a student of MU, graduating 4 yrs later, leaving for a brief period only to return and now residing here, this is the first time I can recall the ASG & OPD have given us, students and residents info about the "policies" concerning on and off campus alcohol consumption. (Continued…)
Bluestreak 77
posted 11/03/09 @ 1:04 PM EST
The point made by MU Grad and Ox Res is well taken. As a former Miami student who now has the opportunity to hire college graduates, I can say that the choices made during the ungergraduate years probably have the power to affect a student's future more than ever. (Continued…)
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