Newspaper Page Text
Freshmen among those arrested for drug possession
By Eric Rose
Contributing Writer
Clark Atlanta University authorities
arrested more than seven students for
drug possession this semester, according
to Director of the CAU Department of
Public Safety Jackie Patterson.
Patterson said that three of the seven
were students from Brawley Hall, a
freshman male dormitory.
“All of the students [from Brawley
Hall] were arrested for possession of
marijuana,” Patterson said. “We believe
that that hall may have a high level of the
use of this drug among its residents.”
Patterson said the time between the
first arrest and the most recent was less
than 45 days, approximately a month and
a half. This number, he implied, does not
represent the true occurrence of this illegal
activity.
“We have had a number of calls from
several dorms, but there were no arrests
made,” he said. “Just because we smell
marijuana in a dorm does not mean we
can do anything, unless we find the
contraband on the student or in his room.”
According to Patterson, these students
do not realize the severity of their actions
in that the laws of Atlanta are strict when
it comes to the possession of drugs and
dangerous substances. The possession of
less than an ounce of marijuana is
considered a misdemeanor, punishable by
a maximum of 12 months in jail. Any
amount over that figure, he said, is a felony
carrying a jail term of as many as 10 years.
“We intend to pursue the law to its fullest
extent,” Patterson said. “These activities
will not be tolerated at all. Also, students
found in these situations are liable to
expulsion from this institution.”
Patterson confirmed the most recent
arrest resulted in the confiscation of a
plastic, gallon bag full of the illegal
substance. The street value of such an
amount led authorities to suspect the student
may have been a supplier of the contraband.
“That student was most definitely put
out of that dorm,” Patterson said.
According to figures published by the
Public Safety Department, there were three
cases of drug violations leading to two
arrests in September. In October, that
number increased to five arrests. In
addition, there were also three cases of
alcohol possession reported.
Patterson said, however, this number
only takes into consideration reported cases
and should not be accepted as a measure of
their occurrences.
“Assuredly there were more instances
than that, but we can only act upon what is
reported to us,” he said. “If students do not
tell us, we may never know until something
terrible happens.”
Regarding a recent violent incident in
the Crogman Dining Hall, Patterson said
the student involved was also from Brawley
Hall and has been arrested.
“The student allegedly attempted to harm
a football player with a sharp object. He
has been charged with aggravated assault,”
he said.
Patterson said theft and burglary were
the crimes that were most often committed
and reported. According to the
department’s crime statistics, there were a
total of 22 reported cases of property theft
and two cases of motor vehicle theft in
September alone. In October, there were
no reported cases of motor vehicle theft,
and property theft dropped to 11 reported
cases. Patterson offered a possible reason
for this drop.
“Students are not reporting thefts for
some reason or another,” he said. “No
matter when a theft is detected or how
small the object taken, it should be known
to us.”
An officer at the mini-precinct of the
Atlanta Police Department in the area
agreed with this sentiment.
“Students believe the person who is
their roommate may be incapable of
stealing and sometimes think that they just
misplaced something,” he said. “That is,
until they get abill for theircredit card they
thought they misplaced.”
Over the last two months, more than
$23,000 worth of property loss was
reported. None of the property has been
recovered. This figure, Patterson said,
should not be surprising to the university
community.
“CAU is just like any other big-city
campus,” he said. “We are not immune to
criminal activity and should realize that
and take precautions. It takes a
collaborative effort from all parties
concerned to ensure optimum safety.”
Students should also be wary, he said, of
suspicious people in the surrounding area
as some of the theft crimes are being
committed by certain residents of
University Homes.
“Presently, we have our eyes on a certain
group who may be a theft ring,” he said.
“Students should be very careful around
that area, especially at night."
Patterson added there are only about
100 officers to police the entire Atlanta
University Center. With such a relatively
small number, he said, it is necessary for
them to work harder to ensure their
presence is known to both students and the
criminal elements.
“We want 100 percent visibility on
campus,” he said. “That way students will
know that we are doing our job in protecting
them.”
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