Party smart, Hillsdale
John Ward
Issue date: 9/10/09 Section: Opinion
In my four years as a college student, many things passed before my eyes at off-campus social events - good and bad. I've seen good nights turn great: students consuming alcohol in moderation, carrying on good conversation with each other, and even falling in love and getting married.
On the darker side, I once witnessed two drunken men beat each other into oblivion over a girlfriend that wanted nothing to do with either of them.
The key to achieving a safe, fun night is successful party management. Questions always loom over a student's mind before he or she goes out. For example, "Will my friend drink too much again?" or "Is my party going to get busted by the police?" or "Will I make it home safely tonight?"
To help alleviate any anxiety over making a poor decision, either for those who attend parties regularly or for those who may attend a party for the first time, I sought advice from those that help maintain the peace, safety, and security of our college community: the Hillsdale City Police Department.
My goal was to obtain information regarding how to safely host a party and how to prevent dangerous situations from occurring before police involvement is necessary. So, I headed over to City Hall to talk with the Director of Public Safety, Chief Chris Gutowski, who has served as an officer of the law for 34 years.
"Over the past five or six years, the students seem to be making better decisions when it comes to off-campus partying," he said, attributing this to students taking care of each other, and taking responsibility if a friend consumes too much alcohol and loses the ability to make prudent decisions.
I had the privilege of riding on patrol with one of Hillsdale's finest, Officer Jason Deck, who currently is in his 10th year of service as a Hillsdale police officer. To Deck, the relationship between the police and students is based off of mutual respect.
"Our police officers are not cold people out to ruin good times; this job requires a sense of humor to perform our duties, and I enjoy meeting students and seeing new faces," he said.
On the darker side, I once witnessed two drunken men beat each other into oblivion over a girlfriend that wanted nothing to do with either of them.
The key to achieving a safe, fun night is successful party management. Questions always loom over a student's mind before he or she goes out. For example, "Will my friend drink too much again?" or "Is my party going to get busted by the police?" or "Will I make it home safely tonight?"
To help alleviate any anxiety over making a poor decision, either for those who attend parties regularly or for those who may attend a party for the first time, I sought advice from those that help maintain the peace, safety, and security of our college community: the Hillsdale City Police Department.
My goal was to obtain information regarding how to safely host a party and how to prevent dangerous situations from occurring before police involvement is necessary. So, I headed over to City Hall to talk with the Director of Public Safety, Chief Chris Gutowski, who has served as an officer of the law for 34 years.
"Over the past five or six years, the students seem to be making better decisions when it comes to off-campus partying," he said, attributing this to students taking care of each other, and taking responsibility if a friend consumes too much alcohol and loses the ability to make prudent decisions.
I had the privilege of riding on patrol with one of Hillsdale's finest, Officer Jason Deck, who currently is in his 10th year of service as a Hillsdale police officer. To Deck, the relationship between the police and students is based off of mutual respect.
"Our police officers are not cold people out to ruin good times; this job requires a sense of humor to perform our duties, and I enjoy meeting students and seeing new faces," he said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Joe McCleary
posted 9/10/09 @ 4:48 PM EST
This article contains valuable information and is very well-written. I appreciated your interview of the Hillsdale police. In my opinion, they are a great group who try to help out Hillsdale College students. (Continued…)
Grouch Alumnus
posted 9/10/09 @ 10:27 PM EST
Please allow me this poor tribute to logic:
If you play Edward Forty Hands in college, people will laugh at you (and, in all likelihood, the results), but won't judge you for it. (Continued…)
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