TERPS UPSET NO.1 FLORIDA!

Celebrations Shot Down, University Police Quick to Respond

            It’s been almost two years since the University of Maryland saw a good old fashioned riot.  And it looks as though it will be a little longer still.

            Police estimated that roughly 600 students – mostly freshmen and sophomores from the North Campus dorms – rushed to Byrd Stadium after the men’s basketball overtime victory over Florida.  The object of the students, of course, was to obtain the goal posts.

            The obvious contradiction was unnoticed by rowdy freshmen: wanting to tear down football goal posts after a win in basketball.  But the general feeling of celebration was shared by all who attended.  Except the police.

            Showing up barely before students, and in small numbers, police were able to prevent students from rushing the field and getting the prized goal posts.  Students were held to cheering, throwing snowballs and sliding down the muddy hill on the south end of the stadium.

            Riot police showed up in larger numbers shortly after the large crowd gathered, immediately scattering the majority of the students observing the nonsense. 

            Your humble correspondent was approached on his peak above the crowd – the platform the cannon is fired from during games – by an angry policewoman demanding I leave the area.  As the only student present, I saw no reason to send two police officers with riot gear, paintball guns and masks to remove me.

            As a journalist, I protested their demands, citing my First Amendment right of the freedom of the press.  I contested that I was not part of the disturbance, and had the right to observe the events as a member of the press.

            As she forcefully pushed me back from my perch, I calmly demanded my rights as a journalist, reiterating that I had the protection of the United States Constitution.  She let me be for the moment, and stole my viewing spot by the fence.

            The police continued to yell to me to move along, but once all were aware I was a member of the press, they allowed me to tag along towards the back of the crowd.  I’d like to think my presence served as a sort of check on their use of force, which for the most part, was responsible.

            The incident involving freshman Eric Snyder being shot (make “Eric Snyder being shot” a link to the news story) with what appeared to be a paintball gun was really the only incident I observed that demonstrated irresponsibility on the part of the police.

            Of course the riot police had to present a domineering attitude and show a willingness to use necessary force.  Their job is to protect students and to protect the property of the campus.

            In the instance of the wanna-be riots, the police generally did their jobs well.  They protected the property of the football stadium and, for the most part, allowed students to celebrate the huge win.

            The response of the students, however, was rather disappointing.  We need to realize that the police are there to do a job.  While they sometimes screw up – as in the case of Mr. Snyder – they are generally helpful.

            Throwing cups, snowballs and insults at the police will accomplish nothing.  I take that back, it will make the police more angry and encourage them to hit back.  And they have weapons.

            This is not to suggest that students should blindly give in to threats by the police.  If, as an observer or participant, you are not doing anything illegal, don’t stand for being abused.  When pushed or prodded, simply respond – in a respectful and polite manner – that you don’t feel that the physical contact is necessary and that you are complying with their requests, which are generally in the best interest of everyone involved.

            If something happens like what happened with Mr. Snyder, pursue retribution.  While I commend the police on their performance Wed. night, they should not get away with injuring an innocent student.  But you have to “fight back” maturely, using the proper means.

            If you feel that your rights have been violated, don’t throw things, spit or curse at the police.  This will get you know where except in more trouble.  Instead, request as much information as you can get from the specific officer: his or her name, badge number, supervisor and contact information for them.

            This will allow you to follow up with the incident at a more convenient time.  Mr. Snyder has said that he has no plans to pursue action against the police, which is his decision, but he does have pictures of his injury as evidence should he decide to pursue something.

            The police officer responsible for Mr. Snyder’s injury should step up and take responsibility – something he won’t do – but it would definitely make a nice impact on the student body for an officer to accept responsibility for a mistake made.

            Otherwise, the police department should not apologize for its handling of Wednesday’s mess.  They did what they had to do and successfully protected the students and the campus.

            Overall, I would indeed congratulate the police for their success during the evening.  I would also thank them for doing their jobs well and respectfully request an apology on behalf of Mr. Snyder.