"Party Patrols" Take to the DC Streets

DC Mayor Adrian Fenty had good reason to increase Metropolitan Police foot patrols and police visibility, after four people were shot and killed in the city this past weekend. Unfortunately, there is an indication that this positive initiative could affect DC college students.

The non-student residents of the Georgetown and Burleith areas have been known to complain about noise and out-of-control parties in the past. After all, these two neighborhoods border Georgetown University and many of their fellow residents are students.

Metropolitan police has recently used the foot patrols as an excuse to crack down on these noise complaints via what have been labeled “party patrols.” Officials claim police will only interfere with parties when they can hear noise from the sidewalk and in the case of boisterous Georgetown students walking the streets. The offenders will be cited for disturbing the peace.

The question remains, however, as to exactly what the definition of “noise” is, and who will be the judge of the rowdiness of a party.

George Washington students could be affected by the initiative, in the event that these “foot patrols” make their way to Foggy Bottom and the West End.

- Julie Hyman