LCE returns for Fling '97

Undercover officers will patrol parties throughout the weekend, police said. Last year, the LCE issued 180 citations. University officials won't mess with success. Director of Police Operations Maureen Rush said the presence of undercover state Liquor Control Enforcement agents during last year's Spring Fling proved so effective in controlling underage drinking that the University has invited the LCE back to campus to patrol this weekend's parties and events. The LCE, a branch of the Pennsylvania State Police, issued underage-drinking citations to 180 students during the 1996 Fling weekend, according to Rush. She said undercover LCE agents will patrol the most popular Fling hot spots serving alcoholic beverages this weekend, beginning with tonight's Penn Rocks for the Homeless charity concert in the Sylvia Arms courtyard on the 4000 block of Walnut Street. "Some real positive things have come out of last year's LCE presence," Rush said, noting that fewer students were sent to the hospital for alcohol poisoning than in previous years, and that the annual block party on the 3900 block of Sansom Street remained under control. She added that University officials are working closely with Penn Rocks organizers "so people can have a good time" without fear of being cited by the LCE. LCE Enforcement Supervisor Gary Kardisco noted that undercover agents will also patrol the numerous fraternity and sorority parties on campus, as well as the block parties on Sansom Street and on the 200 block of South 41st Street -- commonly known as "Beige Block." He added that agents will be present at tomorrow night's main Fling concert on Hill Field. "It's not our intent to ruin anybody's affair or, as they say, to rain on anyone's parade," Kardisco said. "We do expect compliance. We do want to prevent underage drinking." Wharton senior Denise Strum, who organized Penn Rocks, said bouncers will check identifications and issue bracelets only to concertgoers who are at least 21 years old. "I hope [the LCE agents'] presence last year won't deter people from coming this year," Strum said. "We've taken additional precautions this year to make the event run a lot smoother than it has in the past." Fling Co-Director Alyson Tesler, a College senior, said "most students know" that guards routinely search Hill Field concertgoers for alcohol, stressing that the Social Planning and Events Committee -- which oversees Fling -- plans "events that don't encompass alcohol to begin with." Kardisco explained that individuals issued citations for underage drinking have three options -- to pay a fine of approximately $300, take an alcohol-awareness class at a cost of $105 or plead the case in court. The "vast majority" choose to either pay the fine or take the class, he said, with the class being the most popular option because the citation is expunged from the student's record upon successful completion of the course. Rush added that Public Safety Managing Director Thomas Seamon has written letters to local bars and taverns informing them that undercover LCE agents will perform spot checks for underage drinking in the establishments. But Palladium co-owner Roger Harman said Fling "has generally been a fairly slow time for us," noting that most students attend keg parties around campus rather than going to the tavern where "we don't give anything away for free." Rush said LCE agents will also patrol events associated with next weekend's Penn Relays. She added that the "whole [University Police] department" is working overtime this weekend, with additional uniformed and undercover University Police officers working "crime suppression beats" and "special details." "Our goal is to minimize any problems for people either through crime or personal injury due to alcohol," Rush said.

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