LETTERS: Misguided intentions by police

To the Editor: In my three years at Penn, I have never had a positive run-in with Penn police. One immediate situation that comes to mind is last summer when I was crossing the footbridge with some friends. There were two Penn police cars on the bridge, supposedly responding to a disturbance. One of the officers singled me out and asked for my PennCard. I asked why and he shoved me against the railings, screaming in my face, "give me your PennCard." I guess he thought I was going to attack him or something, even though his two buddies were waiting by their squad cars itching to get in on the action. A more recent incident occurred just a week ago in the Towne Building. I had just left the manufacturing lab and headed out the building when I spotted a Penn officer. At that moment, I remembered I didn't lock up the lab, so I made an about turn. "Hold it," the officer blurts out. Now, I have my backpack on and keys out ready to lock up the lab. Nevertheless, he wants to see my PennCard, I guess to check if I was a murderer! As a black student, I am more afraid of the Penn police harassing me than I am of being mugged. Due to my experiences I have lost all respect for Penn police and I think Penn could do without them. Kenrick Waithe Engineering '98 u To the Editor: I am writing in support of Michael Pereira's column entitled "Penn police: a force majeure," (DP, 9/17/97). There is no question I am thankful for the University Police risking their lives everyday on the streets of West Philadelphia -- their presence is greatly appreciated by the entire student body. However, I also have great objection to the recently misguided initiatives taken by the force in regard to social gatherings, usually on Beige Block. On a recent night around 2 a.m., members of my house on Beige Block were peacefully sitting on our porch having a few drinks. Across the street, however, was a relatively large party that started pouring onto 41st Street. As the clock approached 2 a.m. I watched in awe as a motorcade of police vehicles roll down South 41st Street -- as if the president was taking a tour of Penn. In an orchestrated move the police swiftly "shut down" the party in a very deliberate and rude manner. I admit that when a party becomes too loud or is pouring onto a widely traveled thoroughfare there are nuisance and safety considerations that must be taken into consideration. However once the party started to be broken up, the police proceeded to walk over to the small gathering of people at my house. Once they were within shouting distance we were ordered to enter our house or be placed into custody. After I questioned the policeman he rudely responded, "Don't you understand English?" How dare the Penn police force act so rude to the very students they are sworn to protect! Furthermore, under what jurisdiction are the Penn police allowed to order me into my own house when I am bothering no one while sitting on my own property? I think we would all be better off if the police would stop orchestrating party break-ups and focus extra time on the crime wave that perpetually exists in and around our neighborhood. Chuck Myers Wharton '98 Wharton MBA '99