By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Gov. Mike DeWine’s order for early last calls at bars, and BGSU’s tough love letter about student parties have resulted in fewer nighttime calls for local police.
Bowling Green’s student population seems to be adhering to orders that they refrain from parties of more than 10 people. Or at least they are being more quiet when doing so, according to BG Police Lt. Dan Mancuso.
Though it’s still early in the fall semester, the number of nuisance party reports so far is lower than last year. The number of reported nuisance parties in August of 2019 was 22. The number this year from Aug. 10 to Sept. 7 is 19.
That may not seem like much of a difference, but Mancuso said large parties last year were more likely to be ignored.
This year, neighbors have their ears and eyes open for large gatherings that could result in the spread of COVID-19.
“I think people might be more willing to call in a complaint,” Mancuso said on Monday.
At the same time, the BGPD night shift has definitely seen an overall dip in bad behaviors.
“It seems like we’re having a lot less,” party complaints, Mancuso said. “But it could be because we’re not having a lot of other activity.”
That other activity included calls to bars for I.D. checks, fights, and unwanted people in the establishments. And it included a concentration of calls when bars closed down around 2 a.m., as intoxicated people moved into the parking lots or tried to drive home.
“We would be busy till after 3 o’clock,” Mancuso said.
Now with bars under state orders to serve last call of drinks at 10 p.m., and close at 11 p.m., those types of calls are greatly reduced.
How long students will be on their best behavior is yet to be seen, Mancuso said.
BGSU students have been warned by BGSU President Rodney Rogers that students hosting large parties will be cited by the police and could face suspension and expulsion from the university.
“We don’t want to be Notre Dame. We don’t want to be Chapel Hill,” Rogers said, referring to two schools that went to all online classes after spikes in student COVID cases.
Both Rogers and BG Mayor Mike Aspacher handed out letters to students before classes began, advising them of the no-nonsense approach being taken by BG and BGSU.
Both the city and university police departments are increasing their efforts to respond to and monitor off-campus large gatherings and parties of more than 10 people.
“Citations, not warnings, will be issued to those responsible for organizing and/or hosting these large gatherings and parties that violate city ordinances and/or university policies,” Rogers’ letter stated.
The penalties can be harsh.
“Those students and student groups such as student organizations, clubs and athletic teams, involved will be held accountable through the Student Code of Conduct process, potentially leading to suspension and expulsion from the university,” the letter explained.
“We all know that large indoor and outdoor gatherings, without face coverings, where physical distancing cannot be achieved, lead to significant community spread of COVID-19. Those participating are compromising the public health of our community and the education of all of our students,” the letter continued. “Your actions, both individually and collectively, will determine the course of this semester.”
