And so it begins: Police prepare as back-to-campus party scene starts in Ann Arbor
Party debris littered Greenwood Avenue near Packard on Friday morning in Ann Arbor.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
Yes, it seems like the welcome weekend festivities are well and truly on in Ann Arbor.
With the start of classes just a few days away, students are coming back in droves to the university this week and the crime logs from the U-M Department of Public Safety seem to show that the usual college celebrations are in full gear.
Department spokesperson Diane Brown said university police are prepared for the increase in population that has mostly been missing for the summer months.
The department has already increased its patrols after the string of sexual attacks in July, which included 2 rapes, and Brown said that’s going to continue through the early party season.
“We have as much as we can out there and we continue to increase our visibility in the community,” she said. “We’ve been doing that for the last month or so and that will continue through the next couple weeks.”
The U-M crime log from the past four days shows 22 alcohol-related citations, including 18 minor in possession citations and 2 students warned for drinking in The Diag. There were an additional 4 urinating in public citations issued between Tuesday and Friday.
Activity spiked Thursday night and Friday morning — the majority of the minor in possession citations were issued between 10 p.m. Thursday and 2 a.m. Friday.
Between the beginning of football season on Saturday and classes starting early next week, the next few days are seen among students as a good time for U-M students to let loose before the school year gets going, officials said.
This year, Brown said, the presence of DPS officers around campus will be greater than local residents might have noticed in previous years.
“It’s just the nature of how the activity level increases,” she said. “We have more officers on duty than we would typically on a given summer day.”
The party scene was beginning to heat up Thursday, with loud music reverberating around Hill Street and Oakland Avenue as residents were hanging out and drinking at about 4 p.m.
Some fraternities on State Street were preparing for parties that night, or just getting the festivities started early with games of corn hole and beer pong.
Evidence of previous nights of partying was visible on Packard Road, where some houses had empty cases of beer and used red cups scattered on the lawn. And Friday morning, more evidence was strewn across lawns and streets.
While university police are looking to keep their presence high around campus as students return, other area police agencies are treating the return of students as business as usual.
Ann Arbor police Lt. Renee Bush said the department isn’t doing anything special for welcome weekend, instead just continuing the regular patrols that have been taking place.
Ann Arbor police have stepped up their presence in recent weeks in response to the sexual attacks, but Bush said the beginning of the school year is something the department is very familiar with at this point.
“Obviously, we want people to be aware of their surroundings and practice safety skills, like staying away from isolated dark areas because of the assaults in July,” Bush said.
In Ypsilanti, home of Eastern Michigan University, it’s a similar story.
Students came back to the university for class earlier this week and Sgt. Deric Gress of the Ypsilanti Police Department said there were no major changes in how the department was operating once students returned.
“Sometimes we do party patrols, but other than that, they’re like any other citizens,” Gress said.
While the parties off campus might be kicking off, the new students moving to Ann Arbor for the first time are a little bit calmer, according to University Housing spokesperson Peter Logan.
He said he’s been told by housing security that the first few weeks of school are actually the calm times for new students, who are unfamiliar with the area, still meeting new friends and not as established as their counterparts who live in Ann Arbor.
Logan said housing security and other housing officials, such as residence hall advisers, make sure new students are aware of the expectations the university and community holds for students.
“They’re expected to make a contributing part and they need to be respectful of one another and themselves so their conduct doesn’t harm the community,” Logan said.
University Housing puts on a number of alternative welcome week events that encourage students to get together and meet new friends outside of the off-campus party scene.
There are a number of events that the university puts on throughout the year to encourage students to have a good time without going out and getting drunk, which could potentially lead to harmful situations, Logan said.
Even with that activity, ambulances were called to at least three dorms overnight to treat intoxicated individuals.
“We certainly have created a welcome week that provides those events up front so students getting acclimated to campus are given choices on where to have and have a good time and meet new friends,” he said.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
L
Sun, Sep 4, 2011 : 1:45 p.m.
...and the story dies... To Kyle Feldscher and the rest of the Ann Arbor.com staff, thank you for your work and reporting. May I say, as with many articles of relevance and importance, this particular story needs to be carried for further discussion. Issues surrounding blatant public drunkenness and subsequent fallout in the student sector are not going away any time soon, yet the story is carried for two days and then pushed aside. With an understanding of the need to stay up with current daily reporting, I respectfully submit that this story continues to be of current content. Thank you, L.
AA
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 1:42 p.m.
Parts of good ole A2 (read student housing) is really, really starting to show the net effects of age, neglect, oevruse, overgrown, over partied. Many streets in Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Twp., look far better. Maybe Ann Arbor is starting to lose a little of its shine. Oh, forgot to mention the constant uptick in crime in Ann Arbor also. Mmmmm . . . . .
Sallyxyz
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 6:45 p.m.
I agree, some of that shine is definitely getting tarnished. The city still has some good residential areas, but the immediate area around central campus is not one of them. The city does not enforce the codes and ordinances, for reasons I do not understand.
Sallyxyz
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 1:25 p.m.
Look, the slum lords around town allow their student rental properties to deteriorate during the year, with couches on porches, litter and trash strewn on lawns, and loud parties with alcohol flowing. All they care about is the $$$ from the rich students. During the summer, they might pick up some of the trash or clean up enough of the property so the city doesn't come after them, but other than that, it's a slum. Check the student rentals near the Fleming building, near Thompson, S Division, Maynard, etc, and of course the entire section near S University, Church, etc. I lived in A2 for 25 years and nothing has changed, including the perpetual upward rent gouging by landlords. Maybe some of the new pricey high rises will put some of the slum lords out of business.
Tom Morson
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 12:32 p.m.
As one of the people who voted for "obviously out of control-and a problem for the city" I also agree that rape--which frequently occurs when intoxicated and cross-addicted is out of control as well. We have major problems ACROSS the US with perfectionism and inabilities to experience serenity, true pleasures borne out of compassion and caring as opposed to competition and crudeness.
Jack Gladney
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 11:16 a.m.
In the words of annarbor.com Greet the new school year with beer. Yep. <a href="http://www.annarbor.com/entertainment/food-drink/the-week-in-beer-ann-arbor-football-school-homebrewing-huron-river/">http://www.annarbor.com/entertainment/food-drink/the-week-in-beer-ann-arbor-football-school-homebrewing-huron-river/</a>
Tru2Blu76
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 4:30 a.m.
Apparently, some folks don't understand the connection between permissiveness, the excesses of youth and the crime situation. There is one, you know. As far as I'm concerned: the whole idea that university students who are here to "improve their minds" MUST be allowed to damage their brains (even in the tiniest amount) is just silly and wrong-headed. This beer party thing is also called "blowing off steam": which raises the question of what these so-far-parent-supported youths are even doing with "steam" that needs to be blown off. This kind of "argument" is typical of the alcohol based culture: there's always gotta be a "reason" these alcohol drinkers have to defend their pointless and counter productive drinking. Prohibition doesn't work. But this "phenomenon" doesn't need to be prohibited: it needs adult intervention in the form of U of M admin & police programs which work -first through the parents and then through the students themselves. A few practical tactics could include random blood alcohol level testing with penalties applied at anything over .05 BAL. Another practical rule would be mandatory cleanups of properties by 10 AM on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. I mean: cleanup by the resident students, not the landlords (which includes U of M of course).
L
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 2:51 a.m.
Leading by example...Go UM. We are to presume from the majority of the posts to this article, that this sort of repeated student activity is not only acceptable, more over inevitable to regards of our streets being littered with party leftovers, widows broken, noise disturbances, kids having their stomachs pumped...this is to be considered acceptable? Shameful comes to mind...considering these types of actions and subsequent results appropriate. An incredible waste of tax payer dollars to have the need of stepped up college housing party patrols. Our law enforcement has better things to do and the dollars spent elsewhere...No? Those that think the University makes the town are absolutely correct. Question is, what exactly is this college town being made out to be.
Tru2Blu76
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 6:48 a.m.
Bravo! Bravo! :-)
A2Woman
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 2:41 a.m.
They are not partying now...they are all at Meijer! Meijer Mania for students until 1 AM. What fun for them; I really didn't want to grocery shop now anyway. Back in the day, the legal age was 18 when I was in college. Lots of great memories, and lots of Solo cups too. I'm in agreement with you on this one, Tom Joad!
Smiley
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 2:30 a.m.
I absolutely love it when the students come back to town. Michigan football and all of it - I love it!! I first came to Ann Arbor for college and left Ann Arbor after graduation. After several years, I received a fluke opportunity to return. I didn't hesitate. I've lived all over the world, and this is my favorite place. GO BLUE!!
Tom Joad
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 2:29 a.m.
Those crazy college kids...yeah, we partied, too. Only now from our vantage point it appears to be excessive.
FaithInYpsi
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 1:38 a.m.
As soon as the city starts fining the owners of these properties is when you might see a change. The landlords need to be held responsible for policing their properties instead of just collecting their rent and forgetting about it. I find it disgusting and not a problem that can't be taken care of. They ALL need to be held responsible.
John A2
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 7:53 a.m.
responsible for what?
joe.blow
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 12:29 a.m.
AA, get on your knees and beg UofM to continue the great work. Without UofM, AA doesn't exist!!!! So stop the slam stories you hippie liberals.
West of Main
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 1:08 a.m.
How do you know the whiners are hippie liberals? They could just as well be crotchety conservatives.
Halter
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 11:56 p.m.
Yep...kiddies are back...new tenants next door....already have made my first call to the police department (who I must say responded within 7 minutes to the noise complaint at 1:45 in the morning). Look, I don't have anything agains the parties and noise at reasonable hours on campus, in student housing, and in the student ghetto....but NOT in my nice quiet non-student oriented townhouse complex where some parents have been wealthy enough to stow their children for the year...
umich07
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 11:51 p.m.
Ughhh...why did I have to graduate?
RJA
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 11:13 p.m.
What a mess, and school hasn't even started yet. So glad that part of my family that are in college have a job, don't drink or do drugs, and still live at home, or at least out of the city. Good Luck students, get your education and on with life.
racerx
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 8:58 p.m.
Incredible. But when the same occurs at a downtown nightclub, the picture is painted differently. Close down the business, declare it a public nuisance, yada, yada, yada. But, if upper middle class college students do the same, oh well, let the games begin. Seriously?
alan
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 8:22 p.m.
Nice story Kyle. Now how about writing about the half who don't drink, who come here for an education, go to class, study hard, commit their time to community service, and become the next generation of engineers, doctors, and leaders? The bilge is really getting out of hand.
alan
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 9:50 p.m.
About 50% of U of M undergrads report binge drinking. 21% of undergrads who do drink report driving under the influence and 33% report blacking out. A full 69% of undergrads report having cared for a friend who was intoxicated. Over 80% of sexual assaults involve alcohol. I think it's very sad that you find this to be a joke.
EyeHeartA2
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 8:45 p.m.
"Now how about writing about the half who don't drink, who come here for an education" Is that the big half? or the little half?
The Picker
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 8:15 p.m.
Really folks ! Who's to blame when partys go out of bounds?
Bertha Venation
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 8:03 p.m.
There goes the neighborhood.... but I suppose again they're no worse than the rapist.
OnTheRight
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 10:30 p.m.
Really? What a disgusting comment. How dare you compare college students getting drunk to a RAPIST?! That is shameful. Someone needs a serious reality check.
EyeHeartA2
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 7:27 p.m.
Drinking? Carrying on? In a College Town? What has the world come to. I never used to be like this back in the day. Say, when the drinking age was 18.
Ron Granger
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 7:22 p.m.
It's completely out of control! These students know no bounds! They're going to destroy this town! This is what happens when you cut back on the police! Can't someone stop them?! Etc.
West of Main
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 12:58 a.m.
Ron's point is that some people need to chill.
OnTheRight
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 10:37 p.m.
And your point is what?
applehazar
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 7:17 p.m.
Chill everyone - Ann Arbor.com - stop the sensationalism. Our home values have not crashed like all of MI due to U of M - AA.com - STOP the one sided news just to get air space. A2 is unique and is proud of it - A2.com - we dont want you!
Brad
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 7 p.m.
I'd like to propose a new ordinance - a $1 per cup tax on red and blue Solo cups. It would be more profitable than a city income tax.
groland
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 6:57 p.m.
On an unrelated note, a new batch of 18-20 year old recruits is reading to be shipped out to Afghanistan where August 2011 was the deadliest month ever with no clear end in sight. College students used to be on the forefront of the peace movement. Today it seems like they could care less about their less fortunate brothers and sisters who cannot afford to spend 4 years partying in college.
djm12652
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 8:29 p.m.
Amen groland...there is a group on campus, the Student Veterans group....these young men and women know what is and isn't important...partying may happen, but they know what the real world is like.
Carol
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 6:52 p.m.
UofM, take care of the problems your student have or are causing.
Fatkitty
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 6:48 p.m.
"Let the kids have their fun. Just as long as they don't drink and drive and do a better job of picking up after themselves (it's called a garbage can, kids), there really are no problems from student parties." Really. I recall a time when I lived in the 2nd floor apartment of a rental unit not far from EMU (my financial situation at that time was less than ideal, otherwise I would have lived elsewhere). The landlord, "hands tied" because of discrimination laws, rented the downstairs unit to two young female college students. Didn't take long for the word to get around, and it was PARTY PARTY PAR-TAY. Kids p@#$!g around and on my car, kids running around the building and out in the street until 3 am, kids punching holes in the wall and busting up the thermostat for the heat. Parties like this went on ALL semester. I celebrated the day I was able to move out of there. I'm sure they did too.
G2inA2
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 6:39 p.m.
Having recently been with a friend at UM's ER, we were told how much the students' drinking affects the their ability to care for emergencies. Saturday nights are a HUGE nightmare for them. Note to self: don't require and appendectomy or any other emergency procedure on a home football Saturday.
The Picker
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 6:33 p.m.
The city cries crocodile tears all the way to the bank. These students are a cash cow for the police and the court system. They could warn and make their presence visible to keep a lid on things, but that doesn't do anything to the bottom line. But hey, More good kids with records though!
Mr Blue
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 11:22 p.m.
Show us your numbers on how much the city "makes" on enforcing the law in student neighborhoods. I bet time effort and money spent on enforcement doesn't even come close to covering the cost of enforcement.
djm12652
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 8:19 p.m.
that's funny...all the good kids I know don't have police records, because....wait for it....yep, they're good kids!
thecompound
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 6:22 p.m.
Note to self: buy stock in Solo cups.
A2Susie
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 6:21 p.m.
Give them warnings now and let them have their fun before classes start. Then crack down hard. I'm old school; they should be studying once school begins!
djm12652
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 8:17 p.m.
I'm not sure what you mean when you say "old school"...it's okay to break the law before school starts but not after?
notnecessary
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 6:02 p.m.
Drink all you want - just pick up the trash!!
David Paris
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 10:52 a.m.
"Drink all you want - just pick up the trash!!" But you can wait until tomorrow, after your hang-over is gone. Otherwise, Welcome Back and GO BLUE!!!
MAS
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 5:53 p.m.
They are kids having a good time. Now they should act in responsible ways but I could care less about college kids drinking before school starts.
Forever27
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 5:53 p.m.
These poll options are a bit ridiculous. "looks fun" and "it doesn't affect me at all" are pretty much going to get the same respondents. "it seems a little more worrisome these days" is far too blindly nostalgic to actually mean anything. Lastly, "It's obviously out of control - and a problem for the city" has got to be the most hyperbolic answer possible. Let the kids have their fun. Just as long as they don't drink and drive and do a better job of picking up after themselves (it's called a garbage can, kids), there really are no problems from student parties.
applehazar
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 7:19 p.m.
WHO cares = let them have fun or your home value will dorp to 30K like the rest of MI - let them have fun - we can pick up trash - i volunteer to do it - DO YOU ?
djm12652
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 6:53 p.m.
I guess turning a blind eye to the law is acceptable behavior for college students? I am curious though, at what point do these same people start to follow the law? Are minor laws okay to ignore? Do they stop at felonies? Or will these same people mature into the type that only breaks laws that they consider victimless...ya know, cheat on their exams that leads to lying on a resume' to screwing your boss on expenses to cheating on your taxes? A minor that drinks alcohol is breaking the law...plain and simple...if they don't like it...work to change the law! I wish these same people could see how stupid they look after they have managed to kill off a bunch of the brain cells that got them into this school to begin with.
grimmk
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 6:40 p.m.
You really expect college kids to pick up after themselves? That's so not going to happen. And you expect them NOT to drink and drive? What planet do you live on? It's been a few years for me since I was in college but the binge drinking got worse and worse over the years. Security had to call 911 over five times in one day because they found people passed out from alcohol. And I guess you never almost stepped in a pile of vomit in the bathroom.
notnecessary
Fri, Sep 2, 2011 : 5:49 p.m.
"Obviously out of control - and a problem for the city"? Who are the people that are voting for that?? We've got much bigger problems in this city like a rapist on the loose, a crumbling bridge on Stadium Blvd and countless others. Underaged kids getting drunk and leaving a disgusting mess behind is far from the worst happening in this city...and...it happens every year just like this...its part of living in A2 like it or not.
Thomas
Sat, Sep 3, 2011 : 1:52 p.m.
so what happens when one of these minors leaves drunk and kills someone in a traffic accident? not so minor now is it?