Friday October 3, 2008

Some Notre Dame students and alumni say there is a crackdown on tailgating going on at the football games this year. Notre Dame officials say that has not been happening. The student body president is not even convinced that is the case.

Indiana Excise Police say the number of arrests hasn't increased this year.

On average, per game, 15 to 20 students are arrested for underage drinking.

The University hasn't changed its enforcement policy in five years.

But students are convinced they're being targeted for the smallest citations.

Bloggers at NDNation.com are sounding off too.

"It seems like more students are going to jail. It is actually custodial arrests than walking arrests, think it's kind of overkill when somebody under 21 is drinking to put them in jail for 12 hours," says Notre Dame Junior James McCaughan.

“I’m not necessarily aware of an increase in arrests. This is something that has been building over the years.. and we have heard stories of this nature over the past 3 or 4 years,” says Mike Coffey, a designer for NDNation.com.

Some students have complained to the student body president about the issue but he says they won't officially take up the issue until the next Board Of Trustees meeting in February.

Until then, they'll continue to study the matter.

Saturday October 4, 2008

Are more arrests for under-aged drinking being made at Notre Dame games?

Some students and alumni are claiming at crackdown on tailgating is going on.

Newscenter Sixteen tagged along with one of two teams from Excise Police out of Michigan City.

After following police Newscenter Sixteen watched them cited one Notre Dame student within minutes for under-aged drinking.

On average police say about twenty students are arrested each game for under-aged drinking. Police say that is about the same as last year.

The university also says their enforcement policy has not changed for the past 5 years.

Students say they feel they are being targeted. Many upperclassmen are citing a noticeable difference this year compared to last.

“I've been here for three years and I can tell you my freshman year is a world different than the way it is now,” says Notre Dame junior Brian Strickland.

“We're looking for those that are causing problems, drawing attention to themselves, ones that are so intoxicated that they can't function. It can be a danger to themselves or others,” explains Lt. Tim Cleveland from the Excise Police.

Ushers inside of the stadium are also trained to look for disorderly or belligerent fans. If an usher feels they need the fan can be kicked-out of a game.