2008 Woodie Awards
Letter to the Editor: Police crack down threatens rights
Issue date: 9/24/07 Section: Editorial
- Page 1 of 1
If they want to remain a legitimate governing body, the Northeastern Administration should consider halting the current guerilla warfare scare tactics they are performing on their students. The authority displayed by the administration expressed on Saturday, Sept. 15 explains the bleeding disconnect between the young and optimistic students and the grumpy, old administration.
While I empathize with a yearning for safety and order on campus expressed by the administration, the price of stripping students of their federally protected rights found in the United States Constitution, is indeed a mighty one.
Because of our allegiance (albeit at times a reluctant one) to this establishment, we have voluntarily put ourselves at the mercy of this Draconian administration. This is a shame. It is a shame to watch the erroding individual rights of friends, for a purpose suspiciously deemed 'greater public safety.'
On Sept. 15, the Boston Police Department (BPD) and Northeastern's heavy hitting Jeff Doggett formed an alliance and set out to prove the illegitimacy of the United States Constitution: "Amendment IV: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated…"
For the crime of making noise and owning beer:
Searched: 1548 Tremont St.
Searched: 142 Alphonsus St.
Searched: 89 Hillside Ave.
Seized: Justin Yost, Andrew Medeiros, Anthony Totire, Jared Yanofsky, Julia Burkhardt, Kyle Siconolfi, Benjamin Van Selous, Brandon Holley, Mike Conry and Kevin Borer.
"Amendment VIII: Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed; nor cruel and punishments inflicted."
If beer drinking on Mission Hill lands you in jail for a night, we should all call off Christmas dinner, because we will be spending the rest of the year behind bars for jay walking on Huntington Avenue. (C'mon you know you are guilty of it at least once.) One night in jail for partying is cruel and unusual.
"Amendment XIV: No state shall make or enforce any law, which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."
To enforce the administration's policies, Jeff Doggett needed the authority of the BPD to bust up and arrest the ringleaders of these criminal gatherings of friends and acquaintances. The BPD is the enforcing entity of the city of Boston. Boston is an entity of the State of Massachusetts. Excuse the simple lesson of governmental ties, I just don't think Doggett was ever taught this.
The impulsive, quick burst of hyper-concern for safety seems to be grossly disproportionate to the previous practices of the BPD and Northeastern. This appears to be an example of implementing "scare shitless" tactics, by the administration. What the administration should not forget is that we actually have rights, not just as students at Northeastern, but more importantly as individuals within the jurisdiction of the United States.
Shame on the administration for neglecting the rights of its own students, be it intentional or unintentional is not relevant. An apology to these ten victims would be a wise move on the behalf of the administration.
- Jamie Waller is a senior political science major.
While I empathize with a yearning for safety and order on campus expressed by the administration, the price of stripping students of their federally protected rights found in the United States Constitution, is indeed a mighty one.
Because of our allegiance (albeit at times a reluctant one) to this establishment, we have voluntarily put ourselves at the mercy of this Draconian administration. This is a shame. It is a shame to watch the erroding individual rights of friends, for a purpose suspiciously deemed 'greater public safety.'
On Sept. 15, the Boston Police Department (BPD) and Northeastern's heavy hitting Jeff Doggett formed an alliance and set out to prove the illegitimacy of the United States Constitution: "Amendment IV: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated…"
For the crime of making noise and owning beer:
Searched: 1548 Tremont St.
Searched: 142 Alphonsus St.
Searched: 89 Hillside Ave.
Seized: Justin Yost, Andrew Medeiros, Anthony Totire, Jared Yanofsky, Julia Burkhardt, Kyle Siconolfi, Benjamin Van Selous, Brandon Holley, Mike Conry and Kevin Borer.
"Amendment VIII: Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed; nor cruel and punishments inflicted."
If beer drinking on Mission Hill lands you in jail for a night, we should all call off Christmas dinner, because we will be spending the rest of the year behind bars for jay walking on Huntington Avenue. (C'mon you know you are guilty of it at least once.) One night in jail for partying is cruel and unusual.
"Amendment XIV: No state shall make or enforce any law, which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."
To enforce the administration's policies, Jeff Doggett needed the authority of the BPD to bust up and arrest the ringleaders of these criminal gatherings of friends and acquaintances. The BPD is the enforcing entity of the city of Boston. Boston is an entity of the State of Massachusetts. Excuse the simple lesson of governmental ties, I just don't think Doggett was ever taught this.
The impulsive, quick burst of hyper-concern for safety seems to be grossly disproportionate to the previous practices of the BPD and Northeastern. This appears to be an example of implementing "scare shitless" tactics, by the administration. What the administration should not forget is that we actually have rights, not just as students at Northeastern, but more importantly as individuals within the jurisdiction of the United States.
Shame on the administration for neglecting the rights of its own students, be it intentional or unintentional is not relevant. An apology to these ten victims would be a wise move on the behalf of the administration.
- Jamie Waller is a senior political science major.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Ty H.
posted 9/24/07 @ 5:29 PM EST
I really hope someone forwards a note on this splendid essay to the ACLU. This same sh*t occured throughout my undergraduate years at NU, and it appears to have only grown in its intensity and frequency since I have left. (Continued…)
Mike
posted 9/24/07 @ 6:25 PM EST
You don't have to involve the ACLU here, just remember this when NU Calling and the Annual Giving Campaign ask you to remember your Alma Mater.
I certainly do, and have given accordingly when asked. (Continued…)
c1josh
c1josh
posted 9/26/07 @ 2:58 PM EST
You can have a party, drink all night for all I care, just don't expect a warm welcome when you kick over my motorcycle, or puke on my steps, or wake me up at 3am. (Continued…)
Matthew Soleyn
posted 9/28/07 @ 11:09 AM EST
It is my understanding that if you enter private property without authorization, such as how Mr. Dogitt did, then you are tresspassing, which is a crime. (Continued…)
asa
posted 9/28/07 @ 11:27 AM EST
Mr. Doggett travels with the Boston police. If he entered private property, it was probably in their presence.
I've had students trespassing on my property(with drinks in hand) and when asked to leave the property, they first replied abusively, then claimed I was lucky they hadn't injured themselves. (Continued…)
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