Fire up, carefully


cops
Mount Pleasant police officers J.A. Richards, left, and J.J. Huovinen, right, oversee the crowd in lot 63 during tailgate on Nov. 3, 2012 outside of Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

When Western Michigan University last squared off at Kelly/Shorts Stadium in 2012, all eyes were glued to the scoreboard, except for the police on guard.

Officers have their own scoreboard for Western Weekend, racking up arrests and citations instead of touchdowns and field goals.

Jeff Browne, Mount Pleasant police department public Information Officer, said officers only want to maintain a safe environment this year. He encourages both students, alumni and visiting Broncos to “drink responsibly, and if you see somebody in need, call us."

Historically, Western Weekend has been one of the most active weekends in Mount Pleasant. Central Michigan University Polie Department Lt. Cameron Wassman said although the last two times CMU has hosted WMU, the weekend was quiter.

“2012 and 2010 have been much more tame than years passed," Wassman said. “It’s nothing like what it was 25 years ago.”

Wassman attributes this to the escalation of police enforcement during the weekend.

“We started bringing in more officers," Wassman explains, “and now you’ve got an officer on about every street corner."

Browne said there will be officers from all local departments operating under MPPD’s authority this weekend. State Troopers will be present in the student section, as well as departments from Midland, Alma, St. Louis, Shepherd and Big Rapids.

The Department of Public Safety is reminding residents of laws and ordinances to maintain a safe environment for those who live in and visit our community. The MPPD released a statement Thursday summarizing key city ordinances and state laws officers typically deal with. 

  • Illegal Fires
    • No person shall kindle or maintain any bonfire or rubbish fire or permit any such fire to be kindled or maintained.
    • It is unlawful to be or remain on public property or the unenclosed private property of another within 300 feet of a structure fire, vehicle fire or open fire.
  • Alcohol Violations
    • Open intoxicants are not permitted on public streets and sidewalks.
    • Minors are not allowed to possess alcohol.
  • Assaultive Behavior
    • Fighting or any assaultive behavior will not be tolerated.
  • Nuisance Gatherings or Disorderly Conduct
    • Residents are requested to socialize in a peaceful manner.
    • Large gatherings are discouraged and will be dispersed by police.
    • Music must be at a level that will not disturb others — be thoughtful of your neighbors.
    • Keep your yard free of trash and debris.
  • Code Enforcement
    • No occupant shall access, nor permit access by others, to the rooftop of any structure.
    • No indoor furniture is permitted on lawns, porches or outside the residence.
  • City Parking
    • So that emergency vehicles have access, do not block roadways or alleys. Vehicles in violation will be towed at the owner’s expense.
    • Keep vehicles from blocking driveways and sidewalks.

All violations involving students will be reported to the university and may result in additional sanctions from the University, in accordance with the student code of conduct.

Both Wassman and Browne agree that having Western Weekend during the end of November helps to curb crowds and criminal activity because of the cold.

The severity of Western Weekend is due to a many of factors including the number of officers, the cold, and what Browne describes as a cultural change. He has observed people beginning to realize that crime during Western Weekend is “a black eye” for CMU.

“It tarnishes CMU’s reputation," Browne said. “That hurts me, it hurts you. It even hurts somebody with a degree from CMU already, because people just remember bad press about the school."

Visiting students have been a problem in the past, especially during Welcome Weekend, where other universities emigrate people who aren't always respectful of CMU's reputation. However, Browne said alcohol violations are not unique to one school, and most of the WMU students are usually respectful.

"Of all weekends, this is not the time to try something,” Wassman said. “Your chances of getting caught are much higher”.

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