During the past three months, University Police Department has seen an increase in calls for service and activity on and activity reported from off-campus sources and the monitoring of online social media activities. Statistics since the beginning of August compared to the entire year of 2014 show a noticeable increase in the use of drugs and alcohol on campus.
During 2014, there were three DUI crashes, 10 DUIs, 11 zero tolerances, and 13 notices to appear issued for drugs while in the operation of motor vehicles. Officers issued 852 warnings and 488 citations for traffic infractions on campus.
Since the beginning of the 2015 Fall semester, August to October, officers have already issued 14 notices to appear/arrests for drugs. There have been four DUIs, seven zero tolerances, 315 warnings and 150 uniform traffic citations issued. Statistically, this is approximately a 4o percent increase from 2014, making this the busiest and, unfortunately, a potentially dangerous year.
These numbers do not include medical calls involving intoxicated students in and around housing due to the increase in students drinking and smoking illegal substances.
It is also important to note that it doesn’t matter if students get into legal trouble on campus or off campus; they are still held accountable by Florida Gulf Coast University under the Student Code of Conduct. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office, along with other local law enforcement agencies, in the event of violations, will notify the University.
Here at UPD, we want students to understand that taking these violations seriously is important because there are more lives that will feel the impact if there is an accident while under the influence.
Of course, it is important for students to enjoy their time here at FGCU, but we hate to see students who are slowly ruining their futures due to peer pressure.
With the rise in the use of drugs and alcohol, so is the rise of students driving under the influence, as is the importance of understanding the consequences of these poor choices. The average cost of a DUI is $10,000, not including court costs and attorney’s fees, plus the loss of driving privileges.
UPD wants to remind you of the speed limits on campus:
– Speed limit on Ben Hill Griffin Parkway (Corkscrew Road to Alico Road): 50 mph
– Speed limit on FGCU Boulevard (main entrance, from Ben Hill Griffin Parkway to Lutgert Hall): 35 mph
– Speed limit on Lake Parkway West (north access) (from Ben Hill Griffin Parkway to Lake Parkway East): 35 mph
– Speed limit on FGCU Boulevard N (from Garage 4 to the recreation fields): 30 mph
– Speed limit on FGCU Boulevard S (from Parking Lot 1 to the recreation fields): 30 mph.
From,
Officer Myles Kittleson and PST Dianna Sandora