Police provide extra patrols
Greg BurghardtThe Mount Pleasant Police Department is teaming up with CMU Campus Police to ensure students’ good times don’t go awry during Homecoming weekend.
Mount Pleasant Public Relations Officer Chuck Morrison said he couldn’t give the exact number of units they would provide for the weekend.
“I will say we have extra patrols on during the parade and Homecoming events and will assist CMU during the Homecoming game and all through the night,” Morrison said.
Morrison said reviewing the statistics and probability of situations of years past is how the department bases its patrol.
Police will focus on crime prevention and are trying to get the word out to individuals to do things in a safe manner, Morrison said.
“Respect people and other people’s property as well as respecting other people in the area,” he said. “Keep noise levels down, avoid drinking to excess. If you are a minor do not drink, if you are over the age of 21 don’t allow minors to drink and use common courtesy and respect to anyone around you.”
Crimes that increase during Homecoming are minors drinking alcohol, more open intoxication violations, more drunk driving violations and an increase in disorderly conducts and fights, Morrison said.
In addition to crime prevention, police also will keep an eye out for parking offenders.
CMU Police Chief Stan Dinius said freshmen who park in Lot 62, Lot 63 and the lots north of Broomfield Road must move.
He said flyers were handed out Thursday night as a reminder so no one gets a ticket.
Lapeer freshman Leah Weinmann said she doesn’t mind having to move her car.
“I think it’s all right and we are freshman and that’s where we have to park and if they need the lot for other uses then that’s the price we have to pay,” she said.
Detroit freshman Jazzsma Caldwell said the parking situation is an inconvenience.
“You have to walk to get your car, and that’s far,” she said. “Then you have to make sure your car is moved in time so you don’t get a ticket.”
Dinius said though freshmen may not be happy about having to move their cars, it is the only way to accommodate parking for the game.
