Alcohol abuse is the biggest problem in Oxford and the root of the city's crime, said Oxford Police Sergeant Jim Squance at an open forum on safety and liability held Oct. 28 by Associated Student Government (ASG).
Squance said drinking opens students up to being victimized. He said alcohol use is a factor in the majority of violence, sexual assault and theft in Oxford.
"You just make poor decisions when you've had way too much to drink," Squance said. "I love you guys to death, but you really do some of the most God awful things."
Squance said the best way to avoid arrest is simply to not do anything thoughtless.
"If you don't want the police involved in your life, don't put a target on your back," Squance said. "If you are underage and drinking, don't urinate on your way home."
Sergeant Jon Varley of OPD said students often don't realize police won't give them trouble unless the police have probable cause - a reason to believe a crime is being committed or is going to be committed.
"If you are walking down High Street with a red cup, we have no reason to believe it's anything but water," Squance said.
Squance said in a situation like that a student will not be stopped unless they are acting suspicious. He said if the police do stop you, compliance is important.
"If you refuse to identify yourself, you will get arrested," Squance said.
Varley agreed.
"Being cooperative will more than likely get you some kind of reductions," Varley said.
Squance said there are four ways the police can legally come onto an off-campus property. Unless they have a search warrant, are in hot pursuit of a criminal or suspect or are tending to a medical emergency, police cannot come on your property without seeing a violation in plain view or having probable cause.
Squance said the No. 1 reason officers go onto private property is in response to noise complaints.
Varley said clearly audible noise 20 feet from the property line is considered a noise violation.
In the case of a noise violation, Varley said police have the right to enter your home if you have a loud stereo or noise coming from inside, but they usually won't.
"We will usually just knock, and if you come to the door and turn it down, you usually won't have a problem," Varley said.
If the police do have reason to come into your home, however, and underage people are found drinking, you can be held responsible for giving them alcohol.
Squance said the police department's alcohol strategy includes compliance checks. In these checks, the police department pays underage students to go to parties or liquor establishments and try to get served alcohol. The students do not lie or misrepresent themselves; they just try to walk right in.
Another way you can be held responsible is if an underage student who has been drinking says they have been drinking at your house.
"The 'must be 21 to drink' signs don't mean anything," Varley said.
Varley said if you are having a party and providing alcohol, you are responsible to know who is coming into your home and to check their I.D.
When asked about violations by fraternities, Squance said, "Fraternities and sororities are more regulated than anybody else."
If fraternities get a liquor violation, Squance said, the organization is liable. The minimum fine is $1,000 and the university can penalize them.
"Fraternities have a lot to lose," Squance said.
If the fraternity is not in good standing with the university, the house can be required to become a single-family unit house. In that case, only four people can live in the house and all other residents must find alternative housing.
Squance said Greek organizations must also consider that having a certain number of members present can make any situation a fraternity function.
"You've got to think what the repercussions are going to be," he said.
Senior Brian Wilkey, chief justice of student court, spoke about the Code of Conduct Wednesday night.
"When you come to Miami and when you join a student organization, you agree to abide by the Miami University Code of Conduct anywhere you go," Wilkey said.
Wilkey said students are bound to the Code of Conduct in any state or any country.
When asked about marijuana, Varley said, "Marijuana is a minor misdemeanor, unless you've got a garbage bag full of it."
Other the other hand, Varley said paraphernalia is a first-degree misdemeanor.
If marijuana is found in the common area of a home, Varley said all housemates are responsible. If it's in a private bedroom, the housemate who occupies that room is liable.
