As the weather improves this spring, shorts will be donned, bikes will be unlocked and off-campus parties will intensify.
That is why the University Heights Problem Property Task Force has a message for students this year: expect more raids.
The task force, a coalition of community groups that includes Buffalo's police and fire departments, the Office of Student Affairs, and University Heights community associations, met Tuesday at the Gloria J. Parks Community Center to address the expected increase in parties.
About 50 people attended the meeting, making for a diverse crowd of students, homeowners and many university officials.
John Grela, UB's director of public safety, said he would not confirm planned raids but that if the situation warranted, police would act.
"If parties get out of hand, we will respond," Grela said.
Following last semester's Halloween raids, during which police raided three student parties and arrested 16 students, task force members feel they have the students' attention.
Liz Lidano, director of judicial affairs at UB, said she felt the arrests were unfortunate but were also the only way to show the seriousness of the issues.
"I hate to see students arrested and I take it very seriously," Lidano said.
Lidano also said that students who are arrested for off-campus activities could be prosecuted using UB's judiciary system, where punishments could range from suspensions to community service hours.
Grela said that parties with over 150 students in an attic or basement are a serious fire hazard. He said that excessive drinking and underage drinking can lead to traffic accidents and sexual and physical assaults.
"We're neighbors. We have to take an active part in what is going on in this area," added Grela. "We have a big stake in keeping the vitality of this area sound."
According to Grela, fallout from off-campus parties affects UB in several ways. He cited on-campus DWI arrests of returning partygoers and the 50 or so students each semester taken to the hospital for alcohol poisoning.
Grela said the jurisdiction of the University Police does extend outside university boundaries and that they work to notify Buffalo Police when they are aware of an out of control party.
Several officials noted that an arrest record could bar students from applying to certain federal and state jobs, making the point that although the students think they are having harmless fun, an arrest can seriously affect their future.
The coalition was quick to note the ways that students are community assets, such as their economic impact on the Heights and their community involvement.
Some students, however, said they felt that older residents were too quick to look down on their younger neighbors.
"I think that they only see students as a problem and there are kids out there that respect their neighbors," Lisa Greco, a junior psychology and health and human services major.
Aric Yackly, a business graduate student, suggested that the situation could be improved by a simple introduction of neighbors.
"The worse the problem gets, the less the sides want to work together," said Yackly.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
