Opinion:
Is the Columbia police emphasis on catching underage drinkers too invasive?

by Alex Johnson, posted Nov. 11, 2009

The new "no tolerance" policy on underage drinking in Columbia is making some residents unhappy.

"I have noticed that there are more cops in the streets after bars," said local bartender Sarah Parks, Columbia resident of 25 years. "I do not think it's necessary because I feel as though they could be doing more productive things in the city rather than handing out MIP's to everyone in clubs. I do not agree with it because I do think there are better things that they can monitor, like DWI’s and crime."

In February 2009, the cityof Columbia hired Kenneth Burton, of Haltom City, Texas, as chief of police. Burton served as chief of police for Haltom City, a town with the population of about 39,000 residents. He also served 16 years as a public law enforcer in Arlington, Texas.

In his time in Columbia, he has developed new programs that include a task force who walk into bars and card everyone in search of minors.

The police department should always have a firm hand when it comes to underage drinking, yet they do need to acknowledge that in a college town, underage drinking is bound to happen. Instead of invading the privacy of all residents of the local bars and clubs, the police department should focus more attention on developing groups to educate students on the dangers of alcohol abuse. 

Arresting those under-aged drinkers, with arranged, designated drivers sends out a message that the designated drivers are not worth the hassle. It works against what student organizations like STRIPES (Supportive Tigers Riding in Pursuit of Ensuring Safety) have worked so hard to achieve. 

"I saw a police officer shining lights on windows in our apartment complex and doing it to other apartments," said John Shealy, junior at MU. "I didn't think it was cool. They basically walked around all the apartments shining lights in windows of places where there was obviously nothing going on. I'm not sure if they received a tip off but they didn't find any parties."

Shining lights on windows of residential areas of students is an invasion of the privacy of those who live in that specific area. There are a large number of students who are under 21 who live in student housing developments. This should not imply to police to invade the privacy of those who live in these areas and are abiding by the law.

The Columbia Police Department would not respond to questions concerning the “no tolerance” policy.

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