Notre Dame Needs AA: Drunk Domers Sob Over Party Arrests
Commentary
By Gary Kopycinski, ND '85
I have no sympathy for young, self-entitled adults extending their adolescence with alleged illegal behavior, particularly when it comes to alcohol. I would never argue for prohibition, but regulation is important. Some Notre Dame undergraduates, like those at many other colleges and universities, don't deal well with alcohol and often act stupidly.
The second major police raid last weekend resulted in a broken-down door, landed a police officer in the hospital and brought the total number of alcohol-related arrests since students returned to school to nearly 60.
The incident, in which students reportedly refused to open the door and one person punched and kicked an officer while resisting arrest, sent 35 people to jail.
The recent trend to arrest — rather than cite — students for underage drinking has caught the attention of both students and the University.
University spokesman Dennis Brown said the administration is working to address the issue.
“We clearly don’t condone underage drinking or gatherings that infringe on the rights of others,” Brown said. “At the same time, the welfare of our students is our highest priority.
“We have concerns about the handling of some recent incidents that we are actively addressing through appropriate channels.”
Indiana State Excise Police busted a party on Turtle Creek Drive Sunday morning and arrested 32 people for minor consuming alcohol, one person for public intoxication and one person for furnishing alcohol to minors.
One person was also arrested for resisting law enforcement, battery to a police officer, disorderly conduct and minor consuming alcohol.
Tim Cleveland, excise police commander for the district, said many of those arrested were Notre Dame students, but he could not confirm that all were students.
The excise police were in the area of the party because South Bend police asked them to check a location of another party.
Young people - and adults - would be wise to read Craig Ferguson's American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot
I applaud the Indiana State Police and the South Bend Police on their heroic efforts to teach Notre Dame's spoiled youth responsibility. It's about time.
