UMD continues to educate while DUI/DWI reports increase

Source: University of Maryland Police Department

This graph shows the statistical change of DUIs over the past 5 years in College Park. (Jaime Williams/ The Black Explosion)

*2020 is still in progress, so the number of cases reported will not be fully counted until the year is over

The city of College Park has seen an increase in driving under the influence (DUI)/driving while intoxicated (DWI) cases since 2015, but the University of Maryland is not stopping in its efforts to educate the students on the dangers of alcohol.

Since 2015, the number of DUI/DWI cases reported fluctuated until there was a big spike in 2019, according to the University of Maryland’s Police Department website.

The difference between a DUI and DWI is that a DUI is for driving under the influence of alcohol, while a DWI is driving while impaired on other substances.

Also, according to the University of Maryland Police Department’s “Daily Crime and Incident Logs,” in 2015, there were 166 cases reported. In 2019, there were 265.

Since the start of the year, there have been a total of 18 cases reported. 

Sgt. Rosanne Hoaas, the spokeswoman for the UMPD, said that “these types of [reports] occur from a traffic stop. But no matter what, the officer needs to develop probable cause to stop the vehicle.”

Hoaas stated that, the way DUI/DWI cases also get reported is because “sometimes citizens will call in to report an impaired driver.”

One effort that is used to identify and apprehend an impaired driver is through drunk driving checkpoints. These checkpoints are in effect at least once a year, according to Hoaas.

Even though there is an increase in DUI/DWI cases in College Park, Hoaas stated that “impaired driving is a problem across the country.”

Brent Jones, a junior aerospace engineering major stated that “we have tons of bars down our main strip, more than most schools than I visited. As far as greek life goes, since we have so many greek organizations, there are lots of opportunities for drinking and partying, so I would say, yeah, at Maryland, it would be a drinking school.”

Yet, Jones said that he has not heard about UMD students getting DUI/DWIs. Since everything is so close, most people leave their cars at home while hanging out and drinking, usually walking home after their night is done, Jones said.

“In our orientation coming in as freshmen, we had multiple different presentations throughout those two days, and one of them was about the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse. We did the “Alcohol Edu” through the University of Maryland, as well as the “Greek Life Edu” [which both educate students about alcohol and drugs],” Jones said.

He stated that he believes the university has many resources that are required and not required, such as the University Health Center’s, “Substance Use Intervention and Treatment (SUIT)” program, which is used by students to learn about the risk of using alcohol and drugs. Overall, Jones is very pleased by what the school offers.   

Brandon Harris, coordinator for residential experience, stated that even though drinking may be a part of the culture at UMD, there are several resources that the university provides to make sure students are making the right decisions and being responsible. 

In the Department of Fraternity and Sorority Life alone, there are several initiatives such as the “Ten Men/Women Plan,” “Spring Greek Leadership Conference,” “Maryland Greek Leadership Conference,” “Homecoming Matchup Program,” “IFC/PHA Sitters and Walkers Program,” “Chapter Expectations” and more that really drive the importance of alcohol and drug education, according to Harris.  

He also stated that the help and resources don’t stop there. There are many different departments, such as the University Health Center, where students can learn about alcohol and drugs and receive help if needed.

Some advice Harris has for students who want to enjoy drinking while in College Park is “wait until you are legal…be mindful of your surroundings and have an emergency plan if something goes wrong…and be mindful on how and when you participate in drinking [activities].”

”If you are going to be drinking in College Park with your buddies, just watch out for each other, keep each other accountable, [and] make sure no one is getting in their car when they should not be,” Jones said.