The traditional rule for college parties is avoid the cops at all costs, and try to keep everything off the radar. However, is it better for the police and the school to actually know about the parties?
Colorado Mesa University and the Grand Junction Police Department have partnered up within the last four years to create the Party Smart program for off-campus CMU students.
The program is an organization put together by CMU and GJPD to create a safe and productive resource for college students who are planning on throwing a party during the weekend.
Party Smart is a system in which students can register their party by giving their and another host’s personal information to let the police be aware that there is going to be a party at the given address.
The main purpose of Party Smart is for the GDJP to contact the host or alternate host of the party if there is a noise complaint received by the police dispatch.
A 20-minute warning is issued to the host to either shut down or get the party under control.
Shane O’Neill, the director of student life, explained the program is a huge beneficiary to both CMU students and the GJPD.
“It has been fairly successful in our eyes,” O’Neill said. “Working with the GJPD has been a great opportunity for us to develop that collaborated approach.”
One of the big benefits of the Party Smart program it saves response officers time, because breaking up parties on a weekend night should not be a primary priority for police officers.
This allows officers to take care of noisy parties efficiently and makes time for more serious situations that can happen in Grand Junction.
Everybody knows the mantra of staying away from police, especially when the term “party” is involved. However, it is possible for a party to be safe and even have the backup of the police if anything goes wrong.
“I know a lot of individuals in the community associate negative things and negative connotations with the police,” O’Neill said. “But, we are actually trying to provide a safe alternative.”
If anyone has ever been to a college party they know situations can get out of control whether it is with fights, uninvited drugs or belligerent peers.
Yet, maybe a program like Party Smart can be beneficial to students and possibly develop a better connotation for the police department in the eyes of young college partiers.
Party Smart has been around for almost four years now, yet the majority of CMU students are unaware of the program.
It would be beneficial of students to be aware of this tool in order to use it and possibly save themselves from receiving a fine or even discipline from the school.
Any students who have used this program in the past should spread the word to fellow partiers, because the last thing they want is a GJPD officer knocking on their door and shutting down what could have been a fun weekend night.
