Constant policing, not busting parties, key to preventing campus crime

This past weekend, I was at a friend’s party that got busted. You could easily argue it got a little too noisy and even a little out of hand. The fact that the party was busted was unfortunate, but not too surprising.

Unfortunate, “but not too surprising” is also a way to describe the response of University Police.

There were four squad cars hanging outside my friends’ house for about 20 minutes before they astutely deduced there was a party going on.

The police told my friend to get everyone to leave, and made them discard any alcohol. A very reasonable response that could have been done by two, maybe three police officers. All in all, the multiple police officers spent almost an hour breaking up the party.

First, how long does it really take to break up a party? Secondly, what are FOUR squad cars doing outside a party?

By now, everyone (including freshmen) should realize College Park is not a very safe area. You must be careful when walking around at night. Every semester people get mugged, assaulted and sometimes even murdered on or around our campus.

I am not going to argue police have no right to be breaking up parties, because sometimes it is necessary. I also realize the university wants to distance itself from being a (Top 20!) party school. I am merely trying to bring more attention to the fact that the police officers need to be focusing their limited energy and resources on ensuring all students on and off the campus are safe. To me, that means spending less time trying to bust up parties and more time constantly policing.

Matthew Kurlanzik

Senior

Marketing & International Business

Self-defense efforts, aikido won’t stop someone armed with a gun

Friday’s article on students taking aikido for self-defense was great. I think it’s fantastic that some are taking the initiative to learn to protect themselves, but that isn’t going to do much against a guy with a gun. Knowing this, millions of Americans have turned to legally carrying concealed firearms. Thirty-seven states are “right to carry” states, meaning they have laws enabling most citizens to defend themselves. Maryland is not one of them, it and restricts conceal-carry permits to people with political connections and those with extraordinary needs.

A survey by the Department of Justice found 40 percent of the incarcerated inmates interviewed had decided against committing a crime out of fear the potential victim was armed. Most compelling, the 1992 FBI Crime Report stated, “Violent crime rates are highest overall in states with laws limiting or prohibiting the carrying of concealed firearms for self-defense.”

Despite having some of the toughest gun control laws in the country, Maryland also has some of the highest crime rates. Every state surrounding us has far more liberal levels of gun control, and yet their crime rates are far lower. In contrast, the District of Columbia has an outright ban on the possession of firearms by most individuals, and the city repeatedly wins the title of “Murder Capital of America.”

Maryland does issue conceal carry permits, but it is impossible for a regular person to get one. If you think this is wrong, check out Maryland Shall Issue (www.marylandshallissue.org). MSI is a grassroots organization dedicated to restoring the right to self-defense in Maryland. Until Marylanders have the right to carry the same tools as criminals, students interested in self-defense might as well learn Tae Bo.

Kevin Genson

Graduate Student

Mechanical Engineering