The University Police and Muncie Police Department made no arrests and gave no citations this past weekend. The Easter holiday was the primary reason for the lack of normal weekend activity on campus, University Police Chief Gene Burton said.
Burton said he realized many students had gone home when he visited the campus around 10 a.m. Saturday.
"What I noticed was the lot south of LaFollete usually on the weekend is full, and when I went there it was a lot emptier," Burton said. "That was a pretty good indicator that a lot of students went home."
Jess Neal of the Delaware County Drug Task Force also attributed the quiet weekend to increased student awareness about the university's "Police Yourself" campaign and the police's recent crackdown on house parties.
"Students are more aware we're out there looking for large parties," Neal said. "Couple that with Easter, and that's why there weren't any arrests."
Even with the 101 citations police issued the previous weekend for minor alcohol consumption, Burton said he couldn't say whether the university's "Police Yourself" campaign is really working.
"We haven't been in this for a month yet, (so) I think it's too early to tell if this is an effective program or not," Burton said.
He said it would, however, be nice for future weekends to be like this past weekend.
"My hope is that noise complaints will be fewer and party calls will be lower, and everyone will be able to make it through spring and we'll be in good shape," Burton said.
During the remainder of the semester, the police department will continue to have four officers during the midnight shift, but more officers will work on the weekends during the last couple of weeks, he said.
"I'm hoping it'll be effective," Burton said. "As the weather gets warmer, activity will get higher and we'll have more people out to take care of the extra activity."
As police officers also become more visible during the day, Burton said he hopes the positive exchanges they make with students will have an effect on students' behavior in the evening.
He said both the University Police and Muncie Police Department will continue to work together to crack down on house parties and underage drinking.
"With the communication between the departments, you have more resources to dedicate to the problem, better exchanges, and officers provide more manpower," Burton said.
When the "Police Yourself" campaign was first introduced to the student body, Burton said he wasn't surprised by the negative reaction he received from some students, but many students have still been cooperative.
"From what I've seen and students who've talked to me, it seems like it's 50-50 who are for and against the program," Burton said. "For the most part, we're getting a lot of cooperation."
He said more options for students, especially those younger than 21, should be available on campus during the weekends so students won't feel the need to participate in illegal alcohol-related activities.
As long as the university administration thinks the campaign is necessary, the police department will continue to participate in it as much as possible, he said.
"This is a problem that's going to take a concerted effort to combat it," Burton said. "It's not a short-term problem. It's going to take a while to make effective changes."
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