Open containers and close encounters

When I turned 21 a few weeks ago, my parents were relieved to know that they wouldn't have to worry about me getting into trouble for underage drinking anymore. So, it was quite ironic when I called them last week to tell them that I had received one of the 36 alcohol citations that the 'Prince' reported on Sept. 25. I went to court this past Monday and found that no less than nine other undergraduates had been cited for a similar offense — having an open container on the 'Street.' It was very evident to me that the issue of alcohol use and its relationship to the law causes great concern to the Princeton Borough.

From listening to the explanations made by the students to the judge, I realized that most of the offenses stem from a basic ignorance of the law, rather than a willful and derisive violation of it. Though Princeton students may have a reputation for being privileged, insensitive elitists, I feel that, on the whole, the campus is more than willing to follow Borough ordinances. To follow these ordinances, however, the students must be aware of them, and, more importantly, they must know how seriously the Borough Police are enforcing them.

It is important, I think, to realize that Prospect Avenue is not technically University property. The eating clubs are privately owned and the avenue itself is maintained by the Borough. So, essentially, this means that Princeton Borough police, rather than Public Safety officers, are responsible for enforcing the Borough laws.

The University and Borough obviously want to have a good and tolerant relationship with each other. It is no wonder, then, that Princeton Borough has become so occupied with the 'Street.' As we all know — even if we may not have experienced the 'Street' firsthand — hundreds of young people, perhaps some under 21, congregate there. Since the police have yet to enter any of the eating clubs, the only ways to exhibit their concern for their community and send a message to the Princeton student body is by giving out citations for open containers, littering or possession by a minor.

I am by no means suggesting that because of this we should stop going to the 'Street' or drinking alcohol. I am, however, recommending that we be aware that we cannot carry a beer across Prospect Avenue from one club to another. Also, we cannot simply throw our cups wherever we feel like it, though in a somewhat 'altered' state this may seem perfectly permissible.

Princeton Borough has a right to peaceful nights — even if those nights are Thursdays or Saturdays. We have a right to go out and have fun. I do not think that these two things are mutually exclusive. Rather, I see no problem for University students to go out, leave all cups in a trashcan inside a club and avoid the ever-increasing number of citations. The Princeton community will also benefit from the lack of those cracked and dirty plastic cups that clutter the lawns and sidewalks of Prospect Avenue on a Sunday morning. I know that I will keep this in mind the next time I go out to the 'Street.' That way, my parents can rest easy and I can enjoy myself — since I am now 21. John Lurz is an English major from Lutherville, MD. He can be reached at johnlurz@princeton.edu.