As a proud Ohio University alumnus and local developer who has been highly critical of the city –university relationship, I must applaud the recent efforts of the city and university to come together to address the problems associated with the fests.
What is often unsaid is that the beautiful city of Athens does not exist and prosper to the extent it has prospered without the economic engine of the university. It has always been an enigma to me that the city has not more fully embraced the university on various projects such as Bobcat Lane, and we all remember the multiple year closure of Jeff Hill. Perhaps the recent memorandum between the city and the university is in fact a sign of a new era of a real working relationship.
Only time will tell.
I was graciously allowed a few moments at the microphone to address an issue which I believe to be important in the discussion of the fests.
First, understand that even as a former criminal defense lawyer, I in no manner condone acts of disobedient behavior or certainly conduct rising to arson. This conduct is unacceptable. However, conduct which is also unacceptable, is the head-slamming of an arrested suspect, hand-cuffed in custody and laying on the ground. Police in riot gear and mounted police do absolutely nothing to calm a situation that perhaps would not rise to a situation if police officers in riot gear are not physically shoving persons back to the sidewalks.
Also as an attorney in a former life who sued many police officers and filed numerous Federal 1983 actions, the videos I have seen would give rise to significant claims against those law enforcement agencies and specific officers who feel that the power of the badge gives them the right to physically touch or, in many instances, physically assault students. Manhood is not defined as hiding behind the badge.
Contrary to the police chief’s assertion at the rally, students who gather together at the fests do not view persons in riot gear and officers on horseback as being their friends. The police chief actually stated, to the amusement of the students in attendance that the “students actually like to interact with the horses.”
If this singular statement doesn’t show a disconnect with law enforcement, I simply don’t know what other example could be cited. The recent initiative by the university to integrate students with green jackets in the crowd is an excellent idea. The various police departments should actually take note of this policy and attempt to do the same with their officers. Policing can be effective with communication and interaction. It is not necessary to have a show of force to serve and protect.
This is Athens, not Iraq or Afghanistan, where a lone police officer in a crowd fears for his life. I can assure you that arrests will drop when police interact instead of confront. Historically, many of these arrests occur when students come to the aid of a student who was unjustifiably arrested or insulted or assaulted by a police officer. Incitement by law enforcement is compounding the problem and I assure you that the number of arrests will decrease, if for the lack of better term, the “cool officer” is interacting with the students to discourage bad behavior instead of pulling out his bully stick because he can.
In sum, the meeting was a great start. Let’s continue to encourage students to act responsibly but let’s also encourage law enforcement to serve and protect instead of incite and arrest.
Bret Adams is a 1981 graduate of Ohio University.
