“We are oftener deceived by being told some truth than no truth.”
-Fulke Greville
Over the Labor Day weekend, many of the campus residents found out first hand some of the University Police’s latest tactics in combating underage drinking – misleading students. A group of officers from the university’s newly created task force went dorm storming room-to-room last weekend in search of illegal underage drinking under the guise of handing out leaflets on city crime.
Many freshmen and sophomores were handed alcohol citations by plain-clothed police officers. Officers later admitted that the leaflets were a guise for busting parties with illegal drinking.
It is already controversial whether the University Police should even be focusing on party crashing when a stream of violent crime has continued around the campus. But using intentionally cornering tactics has shifted the debate to a whole new level, bringing in concerns of privacy and student rights.
Student Government Association President Emma Simson has said the SGA plans on working with the American Civil Liberties Union on privacy concerns, and that they also plan on sending students into dorms to educate other students about their rights.
Though there are nuances, the essence of the matter is that students do not have to open the door, answer questions or allow a search without a warrant. The University Police have unwisely introduced a further element of concern in their dynamic with students in dorms. It is essential that the police stop their deceptive actions before further losing the trust of students.
Our view: University Police are unnecessarily threatening the fragile trust students have for them by seeking to crack down on illegal drinking under false pretenses.
