"The Police are violating our rights.."

[slocar]

Last weekend the Campus Police at University of Maryland College Park went door to door in dorms handing out fliers about preventing crime. While doing so, they were also putting the plain view doctrine to use and citing any underage drinking they saw. Apparently this is violating some "rights" that students think they have. I guess it's this magical right to drink underage because they go to college or something? I don't know. It's made the front page on their school newspaper a few times. Here is one article:

Police deception leads to student mistrust
Editorial
September 07, 2006
“We are oftener deceived by being told some truth than no truth.”

-Fulke Greville

Over the Labor Day weekend, many of the campus residents found out first hand some of the University Police's latest tactics in combating underage drinking — misleading students. A group of officers from the university's newly created task force went dorm storming room-to-room last weekend in search of illegal underage drinking under the guise of handing out leaflets on city crime.

Many freshmen and sophomores were handed alcohol citations by plain-clothed police officers. Officers later admitted that the leaflets were a guise for busting parties with illegal drinking.

It is already controversial whether the University Police should even be focusing on party crashing when a stream of violent crime has continued around the campus. But using intentionally cornering tactics has shifted the debate to a whole new level, bringing in concerns of privacy and student rights.

Student Government Association President Emma Simson has said the SGA plans on working with the American Civil Liberties Union on privacy concerns, and that they also plan on sending students into dorms to educate other students about their rights.

Though there are nuances, the essence of the matter is that students do not have to open the door, answer questions or allow a search without a warrant. The University Police have unwisely introduced a further element of concern in their dynamic with students in dorms. It is essential that the police stop their deceptive actions before further losing the trust of students.

Our view: University Police are unnecessarily threatening the fragile trust students have for them by seeking to crack down on illegal drinking under false pretenses.

http://www.diamondbackonline.com/vne...a?in_archive=1

And here are links to the other articles:

http://www.diamondbackonline.com/vne...a?in_archive=1

http://www.diamondbackonline.com/vne...0?in_archive=1

What do you guys and girls think of this?

[Hockey9019]

I think its 100% legal. So is it illegal that if I open my door to a police officer and I have crack and dope in my house plain view from the door? Well i'm not thinking but either a warrant or that would be probable cause. I can't remember right now I don't know why.



I would tell the kids to keep their mouths shut instead of complaining. Who knows maybe they saved some kids lives by doing that...

[tomahawk134]

I was not aware the University Police had a repsonsibility to mantain the trust of the students. This response sounds like the Community Orientated Policing 101 text response.

If the students think they have an expectation of privacy living in the Dorms, Campus Housing, etc., I would almost wager somewhere in all of the stacks of forms they signed and filled out ... students gave the University permisson to conduct random checks of Dorm Rooms and Campus Housing. Unless the laws in most states have changed since I went to lunch .. it is still illegal for minors to consume alcohol. :cool:

[slocar]

I was not aware the University Police had a repsonsibility to mantain the trust of the students. This response sounds like the Community Orientated Policing 101 text response.

If the students think they have an expectation of privacy living in the Dorms, Campus Housing, etc., I would almost wager somewhere in all of the stacks of forms they signed and filled out ... students gave the University permisson to conduct random checks of Dorm Rooms and Campus Housing. Unless the laws in most states have changed since I went to lunch .. it is still illegal for minors to consume alcohol. :cool:

It's funny that they're talking about knowing their rights because here is their commnuity handbook which outlines their rights and responsibilities..

http://www.resnet.umd.edu/reslife/Co...andbook/4.html

It clearly says..

"Alcohol Policy

* Possession/use of alcohol by minors is prohibited
* Kegs are prohibited
* Parties involving alcohol are prohibited
* Sale of alcohol is prohibited "

:rolleyes:

[tomahawk134]

It's funny that they're talking about knowing their rights because here is their commnuity handbook which outlines their rights and responsibilities..

http://www.resnet.umd.edu/reslife/Co...andbook/4.html

It clearly says..

"Alcohol Policy

* Possession/use of alcohol by minors is prohibited
* Kegs are prohibited
* Parties involving alcohol are prohibited
* Sale of alcohol is prohibited "

:rolleyes:

Appears to me the University Police are ENFORCING the established policy and State Law

[highwayman]

Police deception leads to student mistrust
Editorial
September 07, 2006
“We are oftener deceived by being told some truth than no truth.”

-Fulke Greville

Over the Labor Day weekend, many of the campus residents found out first hand some of the University Police's latest tactics in combating underage drinking — misleading students. A group of officers from the university's newly created task force went dorm storming room-to-room last weekend in search of illegal underage drinking under the guise of handing out leaflets on city crime.

It is already controversial whether the University Police should even be focusing on party crashing when a stream of violent crime has continued around the campus. But using intentionally cornering tactics has shifted the debate to a whole new level, bringing in concerns of privacy and student rights.

Our view: University Police are unnecessarily threatening the fragile trust students have for them by seeking to crack down on illegal drinking under false pretenses.

What do you guys and girls think of this?

I wonder where the college paper editor stacks his booze, on or off campus :D

[tomahawk134]

I wonder where the college paper editor stacks his booze, on or off campus :D

next to his WEED!!!:D

[slocar]

next to his WEED!!!:D

I wouldn't doubt it.

http://www.diamondbackonline.com/vne...6?in_archive=1

[mrbelvetron]

Many freshmen and sophomores were handed alcohol citations by plain-clothed police officers. Officers later admitted that the leaflets were a guise for busting parties with illegal drinking.

This is either the author just talking out of his A$$ with a blatent lie, or he's telling the truth and doesn't want to reveal the admitting officers. Either way, I don't care.

The police are simply doing there jobs. If you don't want to get an MIC or MIP, don't participate in underage drinking. Citations or worse are the risks you take in participation.

Also, when they complain about the violent crime happening around campus, I wonder how much of the crime can be linked to the drinking and probable drug use going on at these parties.

Grow up and quit whining.
"Life sucks and then you die" and "fair ended on the playground in fourth grade." One of my instructors.

[JoetheGI]

"It's funny that they're talking about knowing their rights because here is their commnuity handbook which outlines their rights and responsibilities..."

Hold on now, WHO'S talking about rispon...reespah....responsibility...thingies? They have RIGHTS! Focus on the REAL issue here!

Rhea..rispoci...responsibility thingies are for...uh...you can't blame...er...well they don't count when rights come into play. Ask ANY college professor if you don't believe me!

[kels]

Quick, someone find a pre law student to straighten out the cops.
There had to be a least one somewhere:rolleyes:

[Taxx]

Like the cops have to search out underage drinking on a college campus. They probably do what they can to turn a blind eye to it unless it's out of hand. "Out of Hand???".......If I remember right, all underage drinking on campus was out of hand. I can't remember, must of blacked out.

[chiefhuntr]

It is already controversial whether the University Police should even be focusing on party crashing when a stream of violent crime has continued around the campus.

How many of the violent criminals were drunk at the time of their crime?

Student Government Association President Emma Simson has said the SGA plans on working with the American Civil Liberties Union on privacy concerns, and that they also plan on sending students into dorms to educate other students about their rights.

How about educating the student body about the faults of drinking rather then get on the police foe inforcing the law?

[slocar]

So, did it surprise anyone to see the ACLUs name popping up in there?

[patchcop]

Hey, I'm from another continent and I think this:

The students are right, you violate their rights.

















They have the right to be stupid and you don't let them:D

Have a nice day!!!!