2008 Woodie Awards
On-campus residents sequestered from Philadelphia police
Kacie Peters '08
Issue date: 4/23/08 Section: News
Consuming alcohol in Pennsylvania under the age of 21 is a crime punishable by law-except frequently on Saint Joseph's campus.
Saint Joseph's, like thousands of colleges and universities nationwide, employs public safety officers to handle crimes rather than relying on local police forces to arrest or prosecute students. This policy, though common, has caused legal officials to question the legal limits and obligations of campus security.
"Security forces do not have arresting powers, so they do not legally have to report students to legal authorities," said Adam Goldstein, an attorney for the Student Press Law Center. "Still, this raises an ethical dilemma-if a security guard witnesses a crime on campus does he have the moral obligation to report it to the police?"
Cary Anderson Ed.D., vice president for Student Life, believes this is a complex issue.
"We want the student judicial process to be a learning experience," said Anderson. "We at the university want students to learn from mistakes in a safe environment rather than hold a police record."
Aside from the learning issue, there are practical reasons that local police forces are not contacted for the majority of crimes.
"I don't want to take officers off the street where they are needed," said Anderson. "If they were called for every underage drinking violation, the police couldn't perform their primary responsibilities to the community."
Emily Giardino, '09, believes that even off-campus students are not subject to severe legal penalties for underage drinking.
"Students off campus are not arrested for underage drinking, they're usually left alone," said Giardino. "They aren't arrested or anything like that because it would take too many police away from what they are supposed to be doing."
Still, as soon as students venture off the safe-haven of campus whether to live or to play, they can face harsh penalties.
"When [the Philadelphia police] witness an individual drinking underage or committing another crime we formally charge that person," said Officer Christina Linder, community relations liaison of the Philadelphia police department's 19th district. "If you consume alcohol underage in Philadelphia, you risk a criminal record."
Saint Joseph's, like thousands of colleges and universities nationwide, employs public safety officers to handle crimes rather than relying on local police forces to arrest or prosecute students. This policy, though common, has caused legal officials to question the legal limits and obligations of campus security.
"Security forces do not have arresting powers, so they do not legally have to report students to legal authorities," said Adam Goldstein, an attorney for the Student Press Law Center. "Still, this raises an ethical dilemma-if a security guard witnesses a crime on campus does he have the moral obligation to report it to the police?"
Cary Anderson Ed.D., vice president for Student Life, believes this is a complex issue.
"We want the student judicial process to be a learning experience," said Anderson. "We at the university want students to learn from mistakes in a safe environment rather than hold a police record."
Aside from the learning issue, there are practical reasons that local police forces are not contacted for the majority of crimes.
"I don't want to take officers off the street where they are needed," said Anderson. "If they were called for every underage drinking violation, the police couldn't perform their primary responsibilities to the community."
Emily Giardino, '09, believes that even off-campus students are not subject to severe legal penalties for underage drinking.
"Students off campus are not arrested for underage drinking, they're usually left alone," said Giardino. "They aren't arrested or anything like that because it would take too many police away from what they are supposed to be doing."
Still, as soon as students venture off the safe-haven of campus whether to live or to play, they can face harsh penalties.
"When [the Philadelphia police] witness an individual drinking underage or committing another crime we formally charge that person," said Officer Christina Linder, community relations liaison of the Philadelphia police department's 19th district. "If you consume alcohol underage in Philadelphia, you risk a criminal record."
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 4
DG
posted 4/23/08 @ 1:37 PM EST
The real question is: should drinking moderately in a private residence be considered a crime for consenting adults?
http://www.chooseresponsibility. (Continued…)
Ken Weidner
posted 4/24/08 @ 12:10 AM EST
I served for four years on the Student Appeals Board (that hears appeals by students found responsible for violations of University policy/student handbook. (Continued…)
Amazon Herbs
posted 4/30/08 @ 11:45 PM EST
I think it is good for public safety officials to do what they have been doing. The Philadelphia police have their hands full with more serious crimes. (Continued…)
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