Students continue to learn how to drink and party safely

It’s that time of year again, where students are not only working hard and hitting the books, but also making new friends and wanting to have a good time out.

With that being said, even though students are generally responsible when it comes to drinking and partying, the initiative to keep the volume and craziness to a minimum is taken to a whole new measure, at least for the first month of school.

Project L.E.A.R.N (Liquor Enforcement and Reduction of Noise) is back with its focus of making sure students and those around campus and the downtown area are not only responsible, but respectful when it comes to letting go of steam and looking to have the time of their lives with friends.

In a fall 2016 press release, the London Police Service said there will be “extra patrols” scheduled to be in the downtown area, as well as around Western University and Fanshawe College neighbourhoods.

“There will be a balanced approach with enforcement of by-laws and warnings, where appropriate, relating to parties, parking, open fires, noise, litter and public urination,” the release said.

Along with the London Police Service, Western’s University Student’s Council and Fanshawe Student Union (FSU), the parties are encouraging students to make sure they do have fun when they can, but that it is done responsibly.

“We simply ask that you obey the laws designed to ensure enjoyment for all citizens,” the release said.

“The choice is yours to make. Please be responsible and considerate of others. That is the right choice,” the release said.

In recent years, the number of charges and tickets being handed out decreased, with police focusing more on giving out warnings.

Last year, 23 charges were laid, though only five were against students. There were 791 provincial offence notices, with 499 given to students. There were no criminal charges throughout last year’s homecoming weekend either.

According to Steve Hartwick, crime prevention and community programs lead at Fanshawe, one of the most important things for students to remember is to act and drink responsibly.

“Going out and getting drunk is putting yourself at risk because you don’t know what anybody else is thinking,” Hartwick said.

He said that though it’s up to the students themselves to be able to judge how much they can drink, he advised that they also stay in control at all times.

Students who are of age are only allowed to drink in their dorm room while on campus, as well as the minimal places on campus that have a liquor license. Those include Oasis and the Out Back Shack.

“[Fanshawe staff] want to welcome all the students, either new or returning to Fanshawe, [and] wish them all the best this year, and encourage them to be safe and make good choices,” Hartwick said.

Project L.E.A.R.N. has been around for over 13 years and has previously been judged as a way for students to be targeted, though that is not necessarily the case.

However, after the 2012 St. Patrick’s Day riot, the initiative has been a wake up call for some.

Fanshawe student Victoria Arsenault, who lived in the Fanshawe area from 2009 to 2012 and who recently moved back, said the difference in the community is “unbelievable”.

“When the riot happened it didn’t come as that big of a surprise,” Arsenault said. “If it were to happen now, I would be in shock. I think Project L.E.A.R.N. has a lot to do with that.”

Project L.E.A.R.N. runs until Sept. 30 this year.