As the back to school season commences, the most infamous weekend also approaches. The weekend before school starts, September 23-25 this year, has been known to have some of the biggest disturbances in Eugene’s history, including last year’s riot. This year, the police are taking control and using extra security measures to ensure a safe and peaceful weekend.
Aside from the typical fines that would be handed out, any offenders that would be cited for minor in possession, open container, minor falsely representing age and disorderly conduct, among others, will be arrested and brought to the Springfield Municipal Jail for the night.
“Simply put, we don’t want to have a repeat of what happened the last three years,” said Lt. Sam Kamar,  chief watch commander for the Eugene Police Department. “When people know there is a consequence for their actions, they are less inclined to engage in criminal activities.”
This operation includes the cooperation of the Eugene Police Department, the Oregon State Police and the Springfield Jail. With these extreme measures, students and residents are questioning how effective it will be.
“I think it’s ridiculous, first off, because the amount of money it takes and the hours it takes officers to arrest people and bring them to jail,” said Keane Daly, a University junior and witness of last year’s riot. “Compared to the amount of money it takes just ticketing people.”
EPD has taken measures to ensure it won’t cost the taxpayers too much. Springfield Jail is not charging the city for use of its jail, and the Oregon State Police are not charging for the use of its troopers.
“Most of the cost is inclined expenses, they’re shifting resources from point A to point B,” Kamar said.
Still, as a witness of last year’s disturbances, Daly does not know if this will change this year’s outcome.
“It’s going to happen either way. People are going to do intoxicated shenanigans no matter what happens,” Daly said. “I guess it does help with safety, but I feel like there’s a line in safety to be drawn.”
Mary-Alice Todea and Hanna Jackson, sophomores at Lane Community College also witnessed the riot and believe the increase in police presence has its positives and negatives.
“I feel that either way, no matter how many cops there are, it’s not going to change much,” Todea said. “Honestly I think it was necessary, it made everyone leave. You could imagine the damage without it.”
But Jackson sees the plus of getting the word out now.
“It’s really intimidating thinking about all those police there,” Jackson said. “But some students might just assume people were trying to scare them.”
Regardless, the object of this is to keep people as safe as possible, not to arrest students.
“If we go through the weekend and we don’t make a single arrest, I will be happy,” Kamar said. “I am more interested in seeing that we have a peaceful weekend.”
With the fines alone up to $125,000 for rioting, and a night in jail on the line, students need to make a decision about what will provide the safest back to school fun.