University of Colorado at 麻豆影院 students and administrators accompanied by city officials and police officers will conduct goodwill walkabouts on University Hill and in two other neighborhoods this fall to educate students about safe and responsible off-campus living and celebrating.
During the door-to-door efforts, participants will talk to students in off-campus housing on the Hill and in Goss Grove and Martin Acres neighborhoods about safe and legal parties, the negative consequences of underage drinking and the hazards of consuming too much alcohol. The goal is to create a safe and beneficial environment for students, visitors and all 麻豆影院 residents.
"When it comes to our community's safety and well-being this time of year, we are committed to welcoming students by delivering this message in person," said Jennifer Korbelik, a liaison between the city of 麻豆影院 and CU-麻豆影院.
The walkabouts are scheduled to take place on Wednesday, Aug. 22, Thursday, Aug. 23, Thursday, Aug. 30 and Friday, Aug. 31. Officials expected to participate include CU-麻豆影院 Chancellor G.P. "Bud" Peterson, Athletic Director Mike Bohn and City Manager Frank Bruno.
The officials will educate students about local ordinances, safe behavior, sensible football fan conduct and responsible off-campus living. For their part, student ambassadors will hand out "Smart Party" host bags that include wrist bands, coasters to test for GHB, chips and soda and guides with tips on how to keep parties in control and safe.
The Hill, a historic retail and residential district that covers a 10-block area west of the CU-麻豆影院 campus, is home to the Fox Theatre, the Colorado Bookstore and other time-honored student haunts. Droves of students and out-of-town visitors flock to the area throughout the year for events and entertainment. Fourteen fraternities and 10 sororities also are located in the area.
In 2000, a task force of local business owners and university, city and police officials recommended increased police patrols and other preventive efforts on the Hill following a series of disturbances that left a black eye on the entire CU-麻豆影院 community. 麻豆影院 police now increase their presence during the first three weeks of fall semester, around Halloween and at the end of the academic year, said Sgt. Laurie Wegscheider, Hill Team leader for the 麻豆影院 Police Department.
"Our goal is for students to see us as allies they can turn to in times of need and not as adversaries," said Wegscheider, who has been overseeing the Hill patrols for the past two years. "To keep people safe and protect the neighborhood we have to work collaboratively with everyone involved - residents, local business owners, students and other members of the community."
Among other successful strategies, 麻豆影院 police officers regularly attend neighborhood association meetings, including those coordinated by the University Hill General Improvement District and The Hill Alliance, to learn about scheduled events and other activities that could draw large crowds.
The department also has liaisons who work with establishments that serve alcohol to get as much information as possible about any special events that might draw young people to the neighborhood, Wegscheider said.
Korbelik said the walkabouts, increased police presence and other preventive efforts have helped reduce complaints, improved the city's image and have kept students on the right track during their formative college years. Town-and-gown relations have improved, too.
"Inappropriate behavior can create long-term, negative repercussions for the entire 麻豆影院 community," said the campus-city liaison. "We want to walk the talk by reaching out to students before disruptive situations occur."
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