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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.” INSIDE: |p4 Exchange Students Features P6 Mumia Abu-Jamal Perspectives P8 Hoilyhood The spicy world of fashion Entertainment P11 Students,Athletes dispute over Perks Sports DIG THIS... 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