Police drop drinking charges against eating club officers

University clubs make pledge to fight abuse.

By: Jennifer Potash
   Alcohol violation charges against four Princeton University students were dropped Monday in exchange for more aggressive action against underage and binge drinking by Prospect Avenue eating clubs.
   Princeton Borough Police Chief Charles Davall said the department recommended the dismissal of the criminal charges of serving alcoholic beverages to minors that were filed against Rolando Amaya, 22, former president of Quadrangle Club, and Christopher G. Langhammer, 22, former president of Colonial Club. The two were charged Feb. 4 following an undercover investigation at the clubs.
   Charges stemming from later incidents against Matt Groh, 22, the president of Cap & Gown Club, and Ben Handzo, 21, president of Colonial Club, were also dismissed.
   Criminal charges against Justin J. Mirabal, 22, and Anna Rachael Dray-Siegel, 18, both of whom bartended at Colonial Club during the undercover investigation, were downgraded to violation of a borough ordinance prohibiting the serving of alcoholic beverages to a minor.
   Shortly following the arrests in early March, Chief Davall said he met with Kim A. Otis, attorney for the Colonial Club officers, to discuss the case. According to Mr. Otis, the charges forced the clubs to focus on the problem and brought a new willingness to take action to control it, Chief Davall recalled.
   But the chief said he was still skeptical following the March meeting.
   "How do I know they’re actually taking this seriously and not going to laugh at me when I walk out of the room?" he said.
   Mr. Otis later presented a five-point plan of new measures to combat the drinking issue that, if implemented to Chief Davall’s satisfaction, would then lead to the dismissal of the charges, the chief said. Once the chief was satisfied with the prevention program, steps were taken to drop the charges, which took place Monday.
   Under the plan, the following actions will be taken:
   • All club officers will undergo Princeton University’s training program to learn how to identify and prevent underage and binge drinking.
   • All club presidents will complete CPR and first-aid training.
   • The clubs must hire private, non-student security guards to check guests’ identification.
   • The clubs must provide non-alcoholic beverages and ensure more club members are on duty during parties to watch for alcoholic beverage violations.
   The clubs also invited police officers to check guests’ identification during the house parties on Thursdays and Saturdays, Chief Davall said.
   Tim Szotek, InterClub adviser for the eating clubs, and Jeanne Carter Halpern, a member of the Princeton Alcohol and Drug Alliance, were invited by the clubs to ensure compliance with the agreement during the parties, the chief said.
   "Tim was extremely helpful," the chief said. "Tim and Jeanne were very important in making sure there were no repeat occurrences."
   Most of the clubs complied with the additional inspections, although one was "a little slow" in participating, Chief Davall said.
   Overall, he said he is satisfied with the arrangement but is also warning the other eating clubs this "is a one-shot deal."
   He continued, "This is their get-out-of-jail-free card."
   Mr. Otis said he and his clients are pleased with the outcome of the case.
   "I think it was a very good effort by the police chief, the students, the clubs and the club officers," Mr. Otis said.
   Mr. Otis said he does worry about the police and the municipality going too far in prosecuting underage drinking. Underage students will invariably drink, despite the best efforts of the university and municipal officials, and the clubs offer a safer environment than the dorm rooms, Mr. Otis said.
   And the chief has some concerns about underage drinking and binge drinking problems moving back to the dormitories. He said university officials are working on preventing that from happening.