Police warn students to
follow laws
Grand Prix parties prompt
suggestions for student safety
By Heather Mangold
City
Editor
The Purdue chapter of the American Civil Liberties
Union wants students to know their rights during Grand Prix weekend.
ACLU president Joe Holtrop said that the Purdue
chapter of the union will be riding along with police cars Friday and
Saturday night.
"Hopefully us being there will be self-regulating,"
said Holtrop.
In addition to riding along with police, members
of the ACLU at Purdue had tables set up on campus on Thursday, encouraging
students to celebrate responsibly throughout the weekend.
"We're hoping that awareness will be self-regulating
on both sides," said Holtrop.
He said that the union encourages students not
to drive drunk and to be responsible when walking home.
"If you are doing nothing wrong, you shouldn't
be affected," said Holtrop.
Capt. Ron Fosnaugh of the Purdue police agrees.
"We want people to have a celebration and we want
them to have fun, but we want them to be
safe," said Fosnaugh.
He said students who behave in a way that is dangerous
to themselves or others gives police probable cause to take action.
"For those who elect to break the law as far as
criminal mischief and damage things, or those who want to go out and
get drunk in the public, they are the ones who will probably have a
problem with the police," said Fosnaugh.
Fosnaugh said that police would prefer that students
not celebrate with alcohol, but if they do, they should do so responsibly.
"If you go to a party, whether or not you use alcohol,
you need to plan that everyone who goes with you goes home safely,"
he said.
Holtrop suggests that students attend private parties,
with just friends, and maybe a few others. He said it would not be smart
for students to attend parties where just anyone could walk in.
Excise police could be cause for that concern.
Fosnaugh said that excise police are not required
by law to identify themselves if they are undercover.
"If they are undercover, they can just say my name
is so and so," said Fosnaugh.
Fosnaugh would not release the actual number of
officers that would be patrolling the campus this weekend.
West Lafayette police chief Dan Marvin said that
his department will assist the Purdue police. He said police will work
in partnership with residence halls, upper administration and the Dean
of Students Office to keep things under control during Grand Prix.
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