It's That Time...

Contact: Jack Jeffery, (740) 597-1793 or jeffery@ohio.edu

In recent years, "spring forward" has meant more than turning clocks ahead by one hour in Athens. The mid-morning time change has led to disturbances between students and police officers when Court Street becomes crowded after an early last call. A rowdy crowd can be hard for officers to disperse and represents a possible safety risk. And when the crowd becomes the suspect, the unruly behavior of so-called "innocent bystanders" and "troublemakers" looks very much alike.

Good judgment and common sense can spare Ohio University students unneeded problems during the time change disturbances the night of March 31 and April 1. Veterans of the time change suggest that students avoid being a face in the crowd. Junior public relations major Ben Shoemaker was "checking it out" in 1998 --until he failed to heed an officer's warning to stop running across the street. He was arrested. The misstep carried a hefty price, including time in jail, a court appearance, more than $300 in fines and suspension from the university for one quarter. He also faced the painful, awkward step of calling his parents.

"You're taking a lot of chances for one night of fun," says Shoemaker, now a graduate student. "Had I known the consequences then, I wouldn't have even gone Uptown that night. I realize that at the moment it seemed like fun, but it isn't worth it in the long run. The vast majority of the students are good people, but by being in the wrong place at the wrong time, you can unwittingly become part of the scene."

Several Ohio University Police Department officers will patrol Uptown and residential areas the night of March 31, urging bar patrons and others to use good judgment, before focusing efforts on patrolling campus by midnight. The Athens Police Department will handle any Uptown disturbances late that night and early the next morning.

"Students and others can be arrested for violating any laws or city ordinances, such as underage drinking or blocking a roadway," Director of Campus Safety Stephen Ramirez points out. "I hope the students avoid the Uptown area for their own good. Students would be well advised to follow our lead, return to campus and not ruin the night by getting arrested."

"If students choose to go Uptown for the time change, they should know that they may be subject to the same enforcement by the Athens Police Department due to the misbehavior of a small portion of participants," Ramirez said.