SEATTLE – Just in time for spring, the University of Washington is re-emphasizing a no-tolerance policy toward rowdiness by underage students in residential areas north of the campus.
City and campus police began enforcing the policy last fall, but school officials announced a renewed effort Thursday, hoping to avoid trouble as warmer weather brings more parties that often draw high school students and others from outside the university to Greek Row and nearby neighborhoods north of 45th Street NE.
“There are lots of people who come to that part of the city knowing that’s where parties are,” university Police Chief Vicky M. Stormo said. “We’d like to get the message out to those people who think they’re going to be able to come (and party), this is not the place to do that.”
In the past, an underage student caught drinking might have avoided a citation by cooperating with campus officers, but that’s no longer done, Stormo said. With increased patrols, university police issued 50 citations from September to December, compared with about 20 in the same period a year earlier, she added.
“I haven’t heard of a single person being confronted by the police for a (minor in possession) and getting off the hook,” said Zachary Meissner, president of the UW Interfraternity Council.
“We’re sort of taking a tougher stance,” said Aaron Hoard, the school’s deputy director for regional affairs and co-chairman of the North of 45th Committee.
Many students welcome a greater police presence in the area to improve safety, officials said.
Residents north of campus have complained for years about loud parties and drunken behavior, and some have taken their case to the Legislature. In response, the school formed a committee to deal with those concerns.
Also being considered are expanded street cleanup, an e-mail list to notify residents about crime and an extension of the student conduct code to cover at least some off-campus behavior.
Rudolf Risler, a university employee who lives near the campus, said he has not been calling 911 about partying as often this academic year and has found city police more active and making more visits to houses known for rowdiness.
As for coordination between the two police forces, Risler said, “they have made some progress and we’d like to see more in this direction.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
