Officials explain Grand Prix policies

By Kelly Lucas
Campus Editor

The overall theme of Tuesday night's 21st Century Grand Prix Convocation was taking care of each other.

County Court Judge Laura Zeman and representatives from the Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Office, Indiana State Excise Police, Indiana State Police, Lafayette Police, West Lafayette Police, Purdue University Police and the Office of the Dean of Students were present to answer questions about how authorities will be enforcing alcohol policies and what behaviors will be tolerated during Grand Prix.

"We ask you to be responsible when using alcohol," said Tyree Harris, captain of patrol at the Purdue police department. "Alcohol poisoning is serious and it kills."

Kellie Cox, assistant dean of students, said, "If there is something inside you that says 'Hey, this is a risk and I probably shouldn’t do this,' my tip is to listen to yourself. This is true for every weekend, not just Grand Prix."

John Copland of the Indiana State Excise police said excise police will be on hand Grand Prix weekend and all throughout dead week, the week prior to Grand Prix weekend.

Copland said excise police can enter parties and bars if there is a suspicion of underage drinking. He said if an excise officer is asked if they are part of the excise police, the officer does not have to answer. As long as the officer is invited into the party, they can make arrests.

"If you are under 21 and you're consuming alcohol, it's zero tolerance," said Copland.

Harris said there will be increased police power during Grand Prix weekend to patrol the streets. The Purdue Police have also invited members from the prosecutor's office and the Dean of Students office to ride around with officers that weekend.

Dan Marvin, chief of the West Lafayette police department, said they will set up sobriety check points throughout campus.

Judge Zeman said 170 arrests were made during Grand Prix weekend last year and she hopes to have zero this year.

"The decisions you make at this point in your life will affect you the rest of your life," said Zeman. "The decisions you make will not only affect you, they can affect your family too."