Spring Fling incidents rose 34 percent

The Division of Public Safety responded to 51 Spring Fling-related incidents this year, a 34-percent increase from last year’s 38 incidents. This year marks the second increase in a row, with 24 incidents in 2008.

Thirty of these incidents were alcohol-related hospitalizations, a number of which Penn Police Chief Mark Dorsey described as “alarming.” The number is 25 percent larger than last year’s 24 hospitalizations.

DPS spokeswoman Stef Cella said DPS would not speculate on the reasons for the increase. “Our priority with the medical amnesty program is to get these individuals to hospital and get them treated,” she said.

Twenty-one incidents of loud party disturbances were reported this year, a 210-percent increase from the one reported in 2009.

“The majority of the calls we received were for disturbances, loud people and loud music. Thankfully, people cooperated with the police,” Dorsey said.

No arrests were made this year. In 2009, there were six total arrests for citations such as disorderly conduct.

“Most of the people we had difficulties with were unaffiliated with Penn, but no arrests were made in any of these situations,” Dorsey said. “They were usually solved through conversations, assistance or handled in a professional manner.”

On whether DPS would maintain the later date of bag checks in the Quad for next year, Vice President for Public Safety Maureen Rush said it was too early to comment and that DPS would need to examine the change with college house deans and the Vice Provost for University Life.

Rush acknowledged that people were “more careful” this year, citing an increased number of walking escorts used and a high security presence.

“Unfortunately, folks that had to go to the hospital or cause disturbances didn’t listen to instructions,” she said. “Hopefully, they’ll have learned they can Fling without being too excessive with their behavior or drinking.”

“All in all, there were no serious consequences,” Rush said. “Everyone went home safe and sound and that’s our main goal for Fling.”

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