As University of Dayton students celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, UD Public Safety and UD Rescue Squad are preparing for the festivities in order to have a successful, traditional UD St. Patty’s day.
Bruce Burt, director of Public Safety, said that Public Safety has been making both educational and security efforts to make sure UD students are being both law-abiding citizens as well as acting in terms of UD policy.
“Violations that are safety concerns and high risk behavior will be handled,” Burt said.
Public Safety will assess the behavior of the crowd during the holiday’s celebration and will be focusing on alcohol matters including under-age consumption, disruptive behavior and houses that have an excessive amount of people. Occupancy limits “will be impossible to enforce” but if houses are packed and a safety concern arises, Public Safety will take action to protect students, according to Burt.
“We won’t be counting bodies going in and out of houses,” Burt said. “The goal is to get voluntary compliance from students to avoid taking matters to the next level”
This year, Public Safety will be monitoring university parking lots to avoid the traffic and overcrowding problems that were created last year. Guests who will be visiting students will not be allowed to park in university parking lots including S1, S2, S3, RP lots and all single letter lots. Public Safety monitors are going to enforce this rule by being aware of those who enter and exit the lots.
Burt said the parking rule will be enforced “to maintain order and provide parking to the campus community.” Mass services will be held on Sunday as well and Public Safety wants to make sure parking is available for those attending.
For students, Burt advised showing responsibility and cooperation throughout the holiday celebrations.
“We want to show respect to students and also have students show respect to Public Safety,” Burt said.
City of Dayton Police will also be patrolling the area and the Ohio Liquid Control Board will be present with undercover agents, according to Burt.
UD Rescue Squad, like Public Safety, will be making efforts to ensure the safety of students. Sophia Raptis, the UDRS chief, said that Rescue Squad members will be rotating more frequently throughout the day and are stocking up on supplies they feel they will need for the calls received.
“We had 17 calls last year and in a lot of them, alcohol was a factor,” Raptis said.
If students are unsure of the safety of a friend, they are encouraged to call Public Safety and tell them the situation or call Rescue Squad directly. Raptis said she encourages students to not disregard the situation occurring and take action.
“It’s better to be safe than sorry,” Raptis said.
If calling Rescue Squad for a friend in need, there will be no repercussions for the student who makes the phone call, according to Raptis.
Raptis suggested that students “be careful and mindful, look out for each other, and don’t be afraid to call if you or a friend needs help.”
