Alcohol-related incidents in recent weeks prompt borough police to consider crackdown
By: Jennifer Potash
The Princeton Borough Police Department is considering a crackdown on Prospect Avenue student eating clubs, with the possible use of undercover agents, following numerous alcohol-related incidents in recent weeks.
Police Capt. Charles Davall said the department sought more cooperation from the clubs in stemming alcohol abuse during a Jan. 8 meeting with representatives of Princeton University’s Inter-Club Council.
Alcohol was involved in two recent sexual assaults that occurred on the campus, and the participants were served at the off-campus eating clubs located on Prospect Avenue, said Capt. Davall.
Also, there have been at least seven incidents in which inebriated Princeton University students were taken to The Medical Center at Princeton for treatment.
A lack of evidence that the students were served at the clubs has prevented the police from issuing summonses for underaged drinking, Capt. Davall said.
As a result, the borough police department is considering sending in undercover agents to the clubs to step up enforcement of the drinking laws.
These agents, recruited by the borough, would be under 21 but over 18 years of age, Capt. Davall said.
The department already takes part in undercover programs to curtail underage drinking, including the Cops In Shops programs, where police officers pose as employees of liquors stores to catch underage persons attempting to purchase alcoholic beverages, Capt. Davall said.
Another possible tactic would be increased patrols by borough police on Prospect Street, he said.
Any changes would likely require overtime for the borough officers he said.
The borough does have a local ordinance banning the possession of open containers of alcohol in the public right of way, including sidewalks.
"It’s a good enforcement tool that really hasn’t been enforced much," he said.
The goal is to get the clubs to better police themselves regarding underage drinking, Capt. Davall said.
"We think they could do a better job in tightening up their policies for underage drinking," he said.
Should the problem not abate, the borough police could charge the clubs with maintaining a public nuisance that could lead to penalties of closure for a year or seizing of club property and equipment, Capt. Davall said.
Reaction from university students and club members was mixed.
Some student believe the idea represents a violation of privacy.
"It’s one thing to try to get a cop into the clubs, but using kids our age seems like a slight violation of privacy," said sophomore Brooke Clarkson. "It also seems like a waste of police manpower. … The clubs have safeguards in place."
Placing undercover agents into the clubs could sour Princeton University students’ attitude toward the police, said Arun Wiita, a junior and Tower Club member.
"I think it engenders distrust between students and it’s very subversive on the part of the police," he said.
While the police plans could make a dent, the issue of underage drinking on campus will remain, said sophomore Anjum Hossain.
"Alcohol is a part of any college campus and the people who want it will get it," she said.
Not all of the students oppose the tougher measures under consideration by borough police.
"It feels good to know that someone cares enough to watch over our shoulders," said junior Adam Dressner. "The alcohol laws are here for a reason, and that reason is our safety."
Special Writer Lauren Brady contributed to this report.