Collegiate Times

Walking to the bars this past weekend, there were far more police officers than the ubiquitous red cups with ?soda?: police officers patrolling in cars, on bikes, working undercover and walking the streets to sniff out the scene. Over the course of one night, I saw one man pulled from the long line awaiting to bound his way up the stairs to Top of the Stairs, another lady gently tapped on the shoulder to inquire what exactly she was sipping on, and another two gentlemen talking to police officers outside an apartment party to survey their inebriation level. Even I became a victim to a brief interrogation while on my way downtown. As part of a college town, it?s expected that a heightened sense of security will abound the campus and surrounding areas, and most of the time we are thankful for the safety the officers give us. But there are times when that authority figure?s presence feels more like the parent who broke up the party in high school. Slack may be given occasionally, but it is also a given that for the most part, police officers will be more inclined to use the iron fist rather than the velvet glove because it is a college town. While they may have the best intentions at heart, it is hard to remember that when having fun. Rather than look upon officers as an enemy, it makes more sense to look at them eye to eye, and on their level. Take the time to learn what it is officers do all day by riding around with them as part of their observation program, and speak to them about your rights as a citizen and the laws in our area. To give you a better perspective on the action, our DownTimes columnist explains one of the hairy situations he fell into, what he learned to do afterwards, and what you can do to help with encounters you may have with the police. The second weekend after the start of the semester awaits us, and, if last weekend is any predictor to what this weekend has in store, learning to speak with officers is not an option. They?re little different from you and I; the only difference is the badge on their shirts.