Prince George’s County Police officials refused to explain yesterday specific tactics used during Saturday night’s celebration, but said officers used only “necessary” force to disperse an estimated 3,000 celebrants from Route 1.
County police officials haven’t released any information to the general public or University Police regarding procedures used during the celebrations following Maryland’s win over Duke.
“They did say that the violence demonstrated [by students] was escalated from the one a few weeks ago,” said Cpl. Diane Richardson, a county police spokeswoman. She said she could not discuss specific police procedures used.
University Police spokeswoman Maj. Cathy Atwell said she spoke with county police officials to coordinate what information was given to the public, but was told that everything police had already said was the only information being released.
After the postgame celebrations, students criticized police for using pepper balls and spray, horses and clubs to force them off Route 1.
At least four students were hit with pepper balls, and one student needed 40 stitches to sew up a wound after police shot him directly below the eye.
Atwell said celebrants were given enough warning before police started using pepper balls or pepper spray.
She said that University Police don’t use pepper balls, because the university is used to dealing with a less hostile environment than county officials.
“We just don’t feel like we need that technology given our community and environment,” Atwell said.
Atwell said the advantage of pepper spray is that when shot, it covers a large area. During Saturday’s celebrations, crowds ran from Route 1, wheezing and coughing after police shot pepper spray into the air.
Pepper balls, on the other hand, target specific people.
Police increased the estimated number of arrests from at least a dozen to 18 yesterday. Charges included misdemeanors for assault, disorderly conduct and failure to obey a police officer, said Cpl. Joe Merkel, a county police spokesman.
Atwell said the main goal was to force students onto university property where police could control them more easily and minimize damage to the city.
“We moved the crowd towards Fraternity Row, but we can’t make them go there,” she said.
City Public Services Director Bob Ryan said the cost to the city was minimal. About $1,000 was used to pay for cleanup.
Celebrants broke windows in a bus shelter, but since it is private property, the cost is unknown.
University President Dan Mote said he trusts police judgment and added, “We didn’t want students to go to Route 1,” he said. “The residents of downtown College Park are fed up.”
