Busted: a two-part look at drug, alcohol violations
Alcohol arrests top campus crime list
Whitney Phillips
Issue date: 3/3/10 Section: DSC News
Violations pertaining to alcohol and marijuana make up the majority of Dixie State College campus police arrests.
Campus Security Director Don Reid said campus police have made about 27 arrests since December, 21 of which were because of violations of alcohol or illegal substance laws. Reid's list of arrests also shows that eight arrests for drug and alcohol violations were for minor possession of alcohol.
Reid said the relatively high ratio of arrests of underage drinkers is because DSC currently has strict rules regarding violations of that kind. He said it is important for officers to stop students before their illegal actions get more serious.
"We have a zero tolerance policy," he said. "We have research that says alcohol is a precursor to other kinds of problems. My philosophy is that I would rather cite an 18-year-old kid at 8 p.m. for drinking than come back at 1 a.m. and cite him for something worse."
Campus police officers do not have an option when it comes to citing students for underage possession of alcohol. Reid said campus police have to stay consistent in their arrests.
"If we catch someone (drinking) underage, we cite them," he said. "We have to be able to show a history of citations."
Reid's list also included five arrests for possession of marijuana, four arrests for students of drinking age having alcohol on campus, and one arrest for underage possession of tobacco.
Reid said officers have a choice after they arrest students for drug or alcohol violations. He said officers can either issue the student a citation with the expectation he or she will show up in court, or officers can book students into jail. He said those who are uncooperative or who are intoxicated enough to be a harm to themselves or others are usually booked.
However, all students who are arrested for violations of drug or alcohol laws are required to take classes in the Wellness Center.
"The fact that they get in and learn about responsible decision making is the most important," Reid said.
Campus Security Director Don Reid said campus police have made about 27 arrests since December, 21 of which were because of violations of alcohol or illegal substance laws. Reid's list of arrests also shows that eight arrests for drug and alcohol violations were for minor possession of alcohol.
Reid said the relatively high ratio of arrests of underage drinkers is because DSC currently has strict rules regarding violations of that kind. He said it is important for officers to stop students before their illegal actions get more serious.
"We have a zero tolerance policy," he said. "We have research that says alcohol is a precursor to other kinds of problems. My philosophy is that I would rather cite an 18-year-old kid at 8 p.m. for drinking than come back at 1 a.m. and cite him for something worse."
Campus police officers do not have an option when it comes to citing students for underage possession of alcohol. Reid said campus police have to stay consistent in their arrests.
"If we catch someone (drinking) underage, we cite them," he said. "We have to be able to show a history of citations."
Reid's list also included five arrests for possession of marijuana, four arrests for students of drinking age having alcohol on campus, and one arrest for underage possession of tobacco.
Reid said officers have a choice after they arrest students for drug or alcohol violations. He said officers can either issue the student a citation with the expectation he or she will show up in court, or officers can book students into jail. He said those who are uncooperative or who are intoxicated enough to be a harm to themselves or others are usually booked.
However, all students who are arrested for violations of drug or alcohol laws are required to take classes in the Wellness Center.
"The fact that they get in and learn about responsible decision making is the most important," Reid said.
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