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UMPD says drinking a regular factor of campus violence
Kaitlyn Silva, Collegian Staff
Issue date: 4/7/08 Section: News
Despite the best efforts of both the administration and student organizations, acts of violence continue to be an issue on campus.
Though there are many factors that may lead up to a violent incident, Deputy Chief Patrick Archbald of the University of Massachusetts Police Department has found one major factor is almost always present.
"I'll say unequivocally that alcohol is the foundation for what are normally very intelligent, forward-thinking, career-minded students," he said. "It's alcohol that causes them to make those decisions and go askew from their normal decision making and get themselves involved in some criminal act."
According to Archbald, when UMPD officers respond to calls about violence on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, the individuals involved had been consuming alcohol "almost without question."
"Invariably, the officers make the observation at the scene," he said. "Even if the officer doesn't make the observation and the defendant doesn't say anything, you can still see by their reaction that they are under a certain level of influence."
While the consumption of alcohol has not become a focal point in recent discussions concerning the stabbing that took place in the MacKimmie residence hall on Feb. 3, it contributed to the violent tensions.
"The two individuals outside of the dorm were under the influence of alcohol," said Archbald. "I feel very strongly that there's a possibility that that whole events may have never happened or may have happened differently were it not for alcohol."
The people involved in the incident, John Bowes, 20, of Hancock, N.H., and Jonathan Bosse, 19, of Milton, Mass., allegedly smashed in a dormitory window of former student Jason Vassell, 23, before entering the building and engaging in an armed fight with Vassell.
"That was really serious," said Archbald. "There were a lot of stab wounds. I can't say for sure that it wouldn't have happened were it not for alcohol. I don't know. All the parties who were under the influence of alcohol acted in a way that they likely would not have acted were they not under the influence of alcohol."
Though there are many factors that may lead up to a violent incident, Deputy Chief Patrick Archbald of the University of Massachusetts Police Department has found one major factor is almost always present.
"I'll say unequivocally that alcohol is the foundation for what are normally very intelligent, forward-thinking, career-minded students," he said. "It's alcohol that causes them to make those decisions and go askew from their normal decision making and get themselves involved in some criminal act."
According to Archbald, when UMPD officers respond to calls about violence on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, the individuals involved had been consuming alcohol "almost without question."
"Invariably, the officers make the observation at the scene," he said. "Even if the officer doesn't make the observation and the defendant doesn't say anything, you can still see by their reaction that they are under a certain level of influence."
While the consumption of alcohol has not become a focal point in recent discussions concerning the stabbing that took place in the MacKimmie residence hall on Feb. 3, it contributed to the violent tensions.
"The two individuals outside of the dorm were under the influence of alcohol," said Archbald. "I feel very strongly that there's a possibility that that whole events may have never happened or may have happened differently were it not for alcohol."
The people involved in the incident, John Bowes, 20, of Hancock, N.H., and Jonathan Bosse, 19, of Milton, Mass., allegedly smashed in a dormitory window of former student Jason Vassell, 23, before entering the building and engaging in an armed fight with Vassell.
"That was really serious," said Archbald. "There were a lot of stab wounds. I can't say for sure that it wouldn't have happened were it not for alcohol. I don't know. All the parties who were under the influence of alcohol acted in a way that they likely would not have acted were they not under the influence of alcohol."
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Innocent Bystander
posted 4/07/08 @ 9:26 AM EST
> before entering the building and engaging in an
> armed fight with Vassell.
NO, this is not quite what happened. Vassell was armed with both a knife and a tire iron - HE was armed, no one else was, and the "armed fight" was actually an armed assault by Vassall upon two UNarmed men. (Continued…)
some person
posted 4/07/08 @ 10:40 AM EST
I'm skeptical about UMPD's commitment to making the campus safe.
Recently, UMPD answered questions at a meeting of Resident Assistants. Representatives of UMPD were asked if their current campaign sought to address issues of hate crimes and sexual assault. (Continued…)
Me
posted 4/07/08 @ 3:00 PM EST
I love how the UMPD is committed to making this a safer environment, and that there number one tactic is cracking down on the alcohol scene here. Maybe the University should look at the kinds of events that go on during the weekends here. (Continued…)
McKie
posted 4/07/08 @ 3:09 PM EST
The questions that the police need to really ask is:
"Does alcohol act as a causal aspect of these assaults, or do people just see it as an excuse?"
It is not news to say that underage drinking is illegal. (Continued…)
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