So what are we supposed to think about the riots after Duke games? Is there a solution? Should there be a designated area, like frat row? Anyone found gathering elsewhere would be subject to some kind of prosecution, but Fraternity Row would be alright? It seems obvious that destruction of property should not be stood for. I also am not enamored with the idea of students being subjected to methods that killed a woman in Boston after the Sox won the world series. Maybe the entire topic has been beat to death, I dunno.
Posted by John at February 15, 2005 02:59 PMGood question. Tough to say really. I think a central located, university bonfire would be a decent idea. But how do you anticipate a "riot"? They could build one for every Duke game, but what if they lose, or otherwise wouldn't riot? Then you are almost inviting large masses of angry people to a spot on campus. And how many big bonfires can you have before it becomes old and there is no reason to keep going, instead going other places or doing something different. Most options seem idealogical, but throw booze into it, and all bets are off. Would any of us actually walk over to say, Cole or Byrd, for a university sponsored "Pep Rally" after the game? Hell no. We'd rather go back to our dorm/room/car and drink to celebrate.
No clue what the answer is, but they really need to stop doing that. It is stupid. The police seem to be entirely too agressive, but they have yet to tell their side of the story to anyone. For them as well, there has to be a better way than shooting pepper bullets at people. Like most people, I am sure there is an adrenaline rush the cops get when their authority is questioned, but geesh - shooting 20 year olds probably doesn't get it done. Feel like a big man now, but some of the cops in Boston will probably lose their job for that whole scene, nevermind the big investigations, lawsuits and whatnot.
Just set up a fire hose at Knox and Rt. 1 and just started squelching the crowd with water. Nobody like to get wet. Plus it puts out the small fires.
Posted by: Pat at February 15, 2005 04:38 PMI love the hose idea - everyone goes home, no one gets hurt.
I would like to see the school use the bigass lawn betwixt Rt. 1 and the chapel as a post-big-game-releif zone. Some sort of pep rally dealie would allow for everyone to get outside and go nuts, and no one would smash up private property...just some UMD landscaping. There are only about a million student groups that would love to volunteer for this kind of thing.
Posted by: Chris at February 15, 2005 07:25 PMOoh, ooh: "It keeps the riot on the campus else it gets the hose again."
Posted by: Chris at February 15, 2005 07:25 PM