LCE, police gear up for weekend

University Police Chief Maureen Rush said the University's alcohol policies will be strictly enforced this weekend. When underage students start downing drinks this weekend, they'll probably be looking over their shoulder before each one -- and with good reason. According to University Police Chief Maureen Rush, there will be a "large contingency of officers" comprised of Penn Police, Philadelphia Police and anywhere from 15 to 25 state Liquor Control Enforcement bureau agents on campus to curb underage drinking during Spring Fling. University security officers have already started to conduct bag checks at the entrances to many of the dormitories and there were reports last night of students being cited for trying to bring alcohol into the Quadrangle. Both the LCE and Philadelphia Police have been invited by the University to help enforce underage drinking laws at past Flings. Rush said the LCE will "definitely? be working Friday and Saturday" but added that the agents might also be on campus tonight. University officials warned students that as part of the stricter alcohol policy put into place three weeks ago, all University rules regarding alcohol will be enforced during Spring Fling. Rush refused to disclose the number of officers or specific law enforcement strategies police have for the annual party weekend. Although the state officers are aware of the University's alcohol policy, Rush said that their primary focus would be to enforce state law. "The issue of the alcohol policy at Penn has nothing to do with what [law enforcement officers] follow -- the rules and regulations of the state of Pennsylvania," Rush said. Police officials would not speculate about the number of citations that would be given out this year, saying that the number would depend on students' conduct. Last year, LCE agents cited 19 students for underage drinking during Fling, down from about 25 the previous year and 180 in 1996 -- the first year the LCE was on campus for the event. Students who are cited are given two alternatives -- to go to a hearing, plead not guilty and risk a potentially large fine, or pay $100 to attend a three-hour alcohol awareness class held on Saturdays, Rush said. She added that all students that receive citations lose their drivers' licenses for 90 days, regardless of the state from which the license is issued. Those students who are cited but do not currently have drivers' licenses cannot apply for a license until the 90-day period is over. The provost-appointed task force on alcohol policy chose not to change the University's rules for Fling weekend, instead opting to encourage student participation at a number of non-alcoholic events over the weekend.