Dillo Day revelers beware: the University Police will be watching.
But don’t let them stop you from having fun.
UP plans to increase its police force substantially during Saturday’s Armadillo Day activities, said Lt. Glenn Turner. But even though the officers, both uniformed and plain-clothed, will be on the lookout for students who “openly violate drug laws,” they will mostly be concerned with keeping the celebration safe.
“We’re trying to control (student activity) so nobody gets hurt,” Turner said. “We understand people are going to do certain things, but we’re trying to prevent people from getting hurt in the process.”
Usually about five to 10 students do end up getting hurt during Dillo Day celebrations, Turner said. Those students are taken to Evanston Hospital, 2650 Ridge Ave.
“A lot of people take (drugs on Dillo Day) thinking it’ll be the cool thing to do,” Turner said.
But students panic once they start going through the emotional stages of being high, he said.
“If you’re not a drug user in general, it’s a rather terrifying experience,” he said.
If police see a student who is “not able to care for themselves,” they will call an ambulance or take the student to the hospital, said Lt. Chief Dan McAleer of UP.
Students who are taken to Evanston Hospital with drug-related illnesses are treated and released, but not arrested, Turner said.
Officers cannot arrest students after they’ve already used drugs or alcohol, but will arrest students who they find carrying illegal substances, McAleer said.
“Any violation of the law our guys are ready to act against,” Turner said.
Students who catch an officer’s eye may be arrested or referred to Northwestern’s Office of Student Affairs.
Officers arrest students who are found to be in possession of large amounts of marijuana, Turner said. These students are charged with misdemeanors unless police can prove they are planning to sell the drug to someone else. In this case, students are charged with felonies.
Students who only have one joint may simply be referred to Student Affairs, Turner said.
Last year, UP officers arrested about seven students, Turner said. The number of students arrested usually varies depending on the weather. Police have arrested as many as 58 students on a warm-weather Dillo Day, he said.
Police will patrol several areas of campus Saturday, Turner said. Common stations for officers are Lark Drive between SPAC and the Frances Searle building; near the Allen Center, 219 N. Campus Drive; and on the South Campus foot bridge leading to the Lakefill. Officers at these stations will confiscate alcohol from students entering the Lakefill and will ticket underage students in possession of alcohol.
