THE MIRROR Student newspaper
Week of October 2, 2013
Vol. 38, 39, Iss. 23 5
www.fairfieldmirror.com @fairfieldmirror The Fairfield Mirror
DPS: Fairfield crime rates in ‘good shape’ By Loan Le Editor-in-Chief
Fairfield University campus safety is in “very good shape” in terms of its crime statistics, according to the Department of Public Safety. Fairfield recently released its crime statistics, in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, which mandates that college security submit annual reports before Oct. 1. In regards to the numbers for Jan. 1 through Dec. 31 of 2012, “we see a lot of consistency over the board,” John Ritchie, assistant director of DPS, said. He added, “There’s been no
drastic changes for this year or in the last three years.” Larceny and theft incidents showed a gradual decrease since 2009, diminishing from 80 to 49 in 2012, the lowest number in the past three years. Disciplinary referrals for liquor law violations were 1,072, which is 81 less than referrals for 2011. That is not to say that statistics did show slight increases in other areas. In this year’s report, referrals for drug abuse violations totalled 69, as opposed to last year’s 38. Arrests for drug abuse violations came to 32, eight more than the 2011 statistics. Such drugs include cocaine, heroin, marijuana and barbiturates.
There were also more drug abuse-related arrests in 2012 than in 2011, with 32 and 24 arrests, respec-
Unfortunately, because everyone has an open attitude towards safety [on campus], we’re going to still see some of these statistics. - John Ritchie,
Assistant Director of DPS tively. But Ritchie said of these statistics, “That doesn’t faze us too much.”
Drug abuse violations come in waves, he said, citing that in 2010, statistics showed 92 disciplinary referrals, but then in 2011, 38 violations. Freshman Teon Smith said he was initially “shocked” at the number of arrests and referrals for drug abuse. He believes that whatever was done in 2011 to prevent that year’s low statistics should be instigated again. Lowering the number “could be done.” In addition to an increase of drug abuse on campus, forcible sexual offenses incidents totalled to four – three occurring in student residences and one in an off-campus facility. In the 2011 calendar year, public safety reported zero incidents in this cat-
egory. Such offenses include rape, sodomy and fondling. Sexual offenses are the most underreported crimes, said Ritchie, and in this case people choose to utilize the confidential reporting offered by DPS. Burglary crimes, different from larceny (when the item is stolen directly from them), has increased from 12 to 17 incidents. In addition, hate crimes based off race also saw two incidents in the last year. “It’s not like I’m expecting that the campus [crime statistics] would be pitch perfect,” Christopher Gutierrez ‘17. He added that it’s “natural,” READ
CRIME ON PAGE 4
Community sets sights on climate change By Enxhi Myslymi Associate News Editor
More than 2200 students were in attendance for the 10th annual Presidential Ball held at Bellarmine Hall.
Tebben Gill Lopez/The Mirror
Prez. Ball deemed a perfect 10 By Robert Joyce Crime Beat Reporter
INSIDE
Last weekend, students from all classes marched up the hill to the Bellarmine Lawn for Fairfield’s 10th annual Presidential Ball. The event started at 8 p.m. with doors closing at 10 p.m., and ended at midnight. As part of the tradition, students and guests made their way through Bellarmine Hall to the patio where they were able to get their picture taken with Fairfield President Fr. Jeffrey von Arx, S.J., before descending the stone staircase and voyaging on into the event known as “Prez. Ball.” FUSA President Alex Long ’14 said that the historically successful event “went smoothly compared to the last couple of years.” Assistant Director of Public
NEWS:
Safety John Ritchie attributes the success of the event to the staff and personnel who worked to make sure those who attended had a safe and enjoyable experience. At Prez. Ball there were seven medical transports from the event. There were an additional seven medical transports from campus throughout that evening and into the early morning. At the event, 21 people were triaged - determining priority of patient’s treatments - by medical staff. According to Ritchie, extra staff allowed DPS to be better prepared for triaging students. This reduced the need to send students to the hospital. At the event, staff was able to make contact with about 100 people who appeared to need medical attention; most were deemed to not need medical attention.
Ritchie said, “Safety is always a concern at any event.” Large-scale events are worrying; the consumption of alcohol and drugs by those attending causes concern, said Ritchie. G-Force Security, a private security company from Fairfield was hired to provide additional staffing to keep an eye on the perimeter of the event site. According to Ritchie, They predominantly work event venues and have a lot of experience with these types of events, specifically crowd management. At Prez. Ball, G-Force Security consisted of eleven personnel and one supervisor. Ritchie said that the event was a mostly positive experience for students, considering the amount of people that attended the event, adding that “this sheds light on how we should prepare for the up-
OPINION:
coming Fall Concert.” According to von Arx, Prez. Ball started out as his inauguration ball, and was originally in Alumni Hall for the first time. “The kids were so enthusiastic about it that we decided to continue and so here we are, year ten,” said von Arx. According to von Arx, his favorite part of the evening is “just saying ‘hi’ to kids ... It’s great to see everybody dressed up. It’s wonderful, and it’s great to see everybody enjoying themselves.” When asked how hard it is to hold a smile for so long, von Arx laughed, saying “I get used to that one way or another. I massage my face muscles to get them back into shape. It’s a wonderful, wonderful occasion and I’m so happy to be here and so happy that we’re able to READ
PREZ. BALL ON PAGE 4
THE VINE:
Residents of Fairfield County launched the first Citizens Climate Lobby meeting on Sept. 24 at the Burroughs Community Center. “We are really trying to make an impact from below on our congressional people to have an effective policy on climate concerns,” said Barbara Bresler, a Bridgeport resident that lived in Fairfield. “I got people together and we’ve been reading literally around my kitchen table about the issues,” Bresler added. “Almost everybody I have talked to is concerned.” Bresler was one of a dozen Fairfield County members that participated in CCL’s talk last Tuesday to raise awareness about climate change. Mary Jane Sorrentino, a member of the Rhode Island Chapter of the CCL, said, “We need to put a simple, transparent predictable price on carbon … [and] focus on getting climate change legislation passed.” For Maryann Matthews of Trumbull, “Citizens need to get angry about what is happening in the world. They should be angry enough to get on the phone and talk to Congress. Just start making noise.” CCL is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that lobbies to pass legislation on climate change. It supports putting a tax on carbon-based fuels with the belief READ
CARBON ON PAGE 3
SPORTS:
New changes from ITS
What happens when we run out of chocolate?
Exhibit exposes struggles of undocumented immigrants
Field Hockey fights cancer
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