DPS now patrolling East Campus to control student noise
Posted by: Dan Newman in News, Vox Populi, tags: DPS, East Campus, Georgetown, Student Noise, Town-Gown RelationsLooks like our neighbors are tired of hearing about how awesome our slices of Philly P’s are. In response to a large number of neighbor complaints, DPS officers have been patrolling the Prospect, 35 Street, and 36 Street corridors to crack down on late-night student noise.
Denise Cunningham, President of the Citizens Association of Georgetown, first referenced the patrols in the May 2009 CAG newsletter [PDF]:
Community representatives meet with Georgetown personnel monthly and this topic has long been on the agenda. It was also discussed at great length with President Jack DeGoia at a recent meeting where very candid and helpful dialogue took place. The topics at the top of the list are student housing, student behavior and transportation.
A very positive recent result from these meetings is the installation of roaming Department of Public Safety officers on the Prospect, 35th and 36th street corridors to shut down late night noise from students making their way back to campus.
In an e-mail, Associate Director of the Department of Public Safety Joseph Smith confirmed that DPS officers have been patrolling all areas of West Georgetown that are University-owned.
Smith wrote that when the officers come across students being too loud, they will “diplomatically seek their compliance.” He also said that officers do not routinely issue citations for noise, but may take down a student’s information “when appropriate.”
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Are they patrolling to stop sexual assaults and robberies, or are we prioritizing noise over those offenses?
of course the answer is no. however, drunken students and general disorder do not lead to a safe environment for anyone. this is not the college world of 20+ years ago anymore. break the laws and regulations, you are taking a chance of putting yourself and others at risk and ending out with a violation or even an arrest. college is about being smart right? be smart out there
“DPS officers have been patrolling all areas of West Georgetown that are University-owned.” I figure I know the answer, but DPS is probably going to be at more places than just University owned houses, right?
Not Tim,
“Drunken students and general disorder” are not the to blame for the fact that there is at least one repeat felon lurking around campus walking into people’s houses at will.
“Break the laws and regulations, you are taking a chance.” — I agree. But DPS isn’t going to be looking for anyone breaking the laws and regulations. They will be looking specifically for students who are breaking a very narrow range of laws and regulations. If they want to evenhandedly enforce ALL laws and regulations, then go for it—but it means they should also be looking to put a stop to much worse crimes than noise violations.
I don’t think so, Boo. DC law on private security officers says that officers can only patrol their employer’s property. DPS officers can leave University property while on patrol, but only if they’re en route to more Georgetown property.
Tim,
I said “of course the answer is no” to your question. I just don’t believe DPS would priortize small crimes over “worse” crimes. Also, yes I agree they should enforce ALL laws. By enforcing noise (and other) violations of code or law, it appears they are going that route. I will also stick to my statement that in doing so, helps improve safety and security of everyone. Good and safe weekend to you-
This is great news for any of you stuck in an LXR room facing Prospect St. I spent a semester in one and had to use earplugs and two fans blowing right next to my head to get any sleep on weeknights before 2am and on weekends before 3:30/4:00am. It was rough, to say the least.
Of course, noise shouldn’t take precedence over crimes like sexual assault, but there’s such a thing as noise pollution and disturbing the peace.
Will,
can more property technically mean the Law Center…or Doha?
In that case it looks like DPS officers are pretty much unstoppable.