A proposed city ordinance unfairly targeting students will soon be voted on by Eugene City Council. This ordinance, written by members of the Eugene Police Department, would impose new fees in addition to already existing fines for party-related penalties in certain instances.
These fees are unlike fines one would receive for a minor-in-possession or a noise violation; they are intended to “recover costs involving criminal violations requiring frequent and significant police response.” Rather than being paid back to the City of Eugene, the new fees would be given directly to EPD. The word “frequent” in the above quote is misleading. As the ordinance is written, a group of 10 people could be fined for gathering on the same premises twice in a 90-day period.
If this ordinance passes, a resident would be required to pay the costs of breaking up their own party — including from $35 to $45 per hour for police officers’ wages and any equipment used. The city manager determines what equipment, but it can include gas for police cars, tear gas and batteries for flashlights. This is in addition to what the resident is required to pay for a noise violation, MIP, etc.
This ordinance is not a proactive approach to the problem, and the deterrent effect that the police are hoping for will only deepen the wounded relations between students and police. In the multiple meetings members of the ASUO have had with
police, never once was safety mentioned as a motive for writing the ordinance; it seems only to be an issue of monetary compensation for their zero tolerance policy. New tactics being used by the party patrol are putting students in
danger.
Officers have recently refused to let women call for rides and threatened to issue “Interfering with a Peace Officer” citations if people are “caught” waiting for a friend to walk home with after a party has been broken up.
Yes, students party and sometimes consume alcohol in large quantities, but using reactive, destructive tactics such as this ordinance, as it is currently written by the EPD, will not produce anything beneficial for this community.
The ASUO has written and presented an alternative ordinance to the City Council, which is drastically different from the EPD version. Student leaders have met individually with city councilors to discuss the ordinance and possible changes that could be made. However, we need students’ help.
The City Council will vote on the ordinance Nov. 13, and we need people to come and voice their concerns. If you don’t know anything about the ordinance, the ASUO is having an informational meeting and open discussion on the ordinance today at 5 p.m. in Room 123 Pacific. I would encourage all concerned students to attend this meeting, whether or not they approve of student partying, because this ordinance will affect all of us.