Alcohol-related arrests make up 60 percent of USU's crime

By Jen Beasley

December 2, 2005 | LOGAN -- The number of arrests by the Utah State Police Department of minors in possession of alcohol (MIPs) have not yet passed last year's rate, but with the holiday season comes potential for more alcohol-related incidents.

"There tend to be fewer (arrests) on average because everyone is going home," said Sgt. James Nye. "But there is also probably a lot more alcohol around because of the holidays and parties."

Forty-four MIPs were issued in 2004, Nye said, and this year there have already been 36. "Keep in mind that we still have all of December to go," Nye said.

Nye said the biggest spikes in MIPs and other alcohol-related crimes tend to come in September and October and again in January and February, at the beginning of semesters.

"You have new students moving in and out, so that's probably why," Nye said.

In 2004, alcohol-related crimes at USU constituted 60 percent of all crime, with MIPs making up the greatest category therein, according to USU Police Department annual statistics. Nye said the high rate of alcohol-related offenses is probably normal, though he said he didn't know any specific statistics.

"You're 18 years old, you're a freshman, you come to USU, it's your first time away from home, you experiment with alcohol or drugs," Nye said. "And generally, you get caught."

He said the problem may not even reflect the USU student body because many of the offenders aren't even students here.

"One thing that may surprise you is in general, half of our arrests are non-students," Nye said. "They come up for a dance or some event and get in trouble." He said it is not the case that police officers prowl the dorms looking for offenders, but added even so, it isn't difficult to find them.

"(The police) are aware," Nye said. "When you're around 2,000 18 to 20-year-olds, you get to know the trends. It's not so much that we're out looking for things. Most of our arrests are complaint responses."

Jana Carling, a prevention specialist at USU's Student Wellness Center, said the fact that a majority of crime at USU is alcohol related is actually a good statistic.

"We are in a relatively safe community," Carling said. "The reason that a majority of crimes are alcohol related is because we don't have the thefts and the murders around campus."

Carling, who runs the nine week tobacco and alcohol education program that students who receive MIPs are required to attend, said the recidivism rate in the program is only 1 to 2 percent. She said this is because the program, which educates students on addiction, physiological effects of substances, and other related topics is excellent. She acknowledged that repeat offenders are often sent to other programs by the judge, which could skew the statistic.

"Even so, our recidivism rate is really low," Carling said.

Nye said other than disorderly conduct or assault, he hasn't seen a lot of secondary crime stemming from the alcohol-related offenses.

"Our police department takes the stance that if they can stop the alcohol problem, they can prevent the other crimes that are alcohol related," Carling said.

Nye, who has been with the USU Police for 18 years, said MIP rates and the overall alcohol situation has improved since USU instituted a dry campus policy.

"I think we've seen improvement across the board," Nye said. "It used to be, when I first started here, you could see people walk down 8th East carrying a beer. There was a lot more public consumption.

"Another thing, tuition got more expensive, and when Mom and Dad send you off to college, they don't want you to just party," he said. "I think we just have a higher quality student now."

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