On the road to a dry campus

Whether the police are handing out jaywalking tickets or legitimately using their time busting minors in possession wandering Greek Row, something smells odd about the continuing police presence in the area.

The Daily has reported and opined on the matter of continued police presence, and it seems we have ruffled a few feathers. This tells us we're onto something.

Here is what The Daily has learned:

• The Incident Patrol Teams (IPTs) will continue on "select weekends" until June.

• The IPTs have been actively handing out non-alcohol citations as well as alcohol citations. However, their contact with citizens overwhelmingly concerns alcohol.

• In discussing continued support for the IPTs, UW officials said student opinion favored the police presence. (It turns out the last sign of student favor was in early October, and student opinion has taken a sharp dive since.)

• A Proposed Alcohol Impact Area (AIA) would restrict the types and times of alcohol available within the U-District.

The AIA, if passed, is voluntary to businesses for six months, after which it can be made mandatory, as it was in Pioneer Square.

It is interesting that the IPTs will continue writing alcohol citations, thus inflating alcohol-related crime statistics in the U-District for the next six months, conveniently during the experimental period of the AIA. It is also interesting that the UW's claim that students support the IPTs came the same day, just hours after the AIA was open for public comment.

This is almost too convenient.

The UW has nothing to lose and everything to gain. The Seattle Police Department does the dirty work of enforcing liquor laws, long-ignored in the U-District. At the same time, the newly inflated crime statistics are not reported to the U.S. Department of Education, since they occur off campus, and therefore are not given to prospective students.

It sounds like the gears are turning to dry out this campus without having to hear student opinion or pass any policy at the UW. It's a shame the wheels seem to be set in motion because of the actions of non-UW students with a penchant for flipping cars and an administrator incorrectly claiming to know student opinion.