I feel it necessary to comment on the Aug. 31 game against Mississippi State and, more specifically, the crowd control that was present.
For background, I am a 28-year-old Duck alumnus, now living in Portland. For three years now, my 11 dedicated friends and I have purchased season tickets and made the trek down to Eugene for all the home games.
To kick off this new season, we decided to tailgate before the game. Due to the complete parking shortage at the stadium, we found the only place we could accomplish this tailgating event was at an empty private parking lot near campus.
Because school was not in session, we were the only people in the area. We proceeded to barbecue and drink various beverages out of plastic cups. We had the pre-game show on the radio, but other than that we were a completely subdued and low-profile group.
While enjoying the event, Eugene’s finest (and most egotistical) rode up on bicycles and told us that we could not barbecue or drink in that area because it was not designated an “official tailgating” area. We were told the only designated areas were found in Autzen’s parking lot. With that warning, upset, we surrendered our efforts and made our way to the stadium.
When we were in college, and for the many years following, we made our way to the stadium by crossing the railroad tracks next to the Phoenix Inn on Franklin Blvd. If you live in the northwest end of campus, that is still how you get to the stadium.
Well, this year, the Department of Public Safety and the Eugene Police Department have felt the need to close that informal route and detour everyone a half mile down to the “legal” railroad crossing area. To make sure you obey, they posted three officers and three squad cars at the typical crossing point. If you made your way over at this point, they would reward you with a trespassing ticket.
When I lived in Eugene, I felt that the police department and DPS were strict and that rigidity paid off through safety, but I was wrong. In the years I have spent away from Eugene, every time I return I am disgusted by the various restrictions that have been put forth.
Whether it is restricting loitering on a specific public street or prohibiting an individual from crossing the railroad tracks, my personal rights are not the same in Eugene as they are in Portland. I am sure that this won’t be the last weekend that DPS and EPD ruin my experience.
If Eugene is attempting to maintain a military-city, they have succeeded.
Jay Leo lives in Portland.
Police are making Eugene a ‘military-city’
Daily Emerald
October 2, 2002
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