WESTFIELD–With warm weather comes an increase in foot traffic and people outside, which also brings complaints about students and alleged disruptive behavior, according to Westfield Police.
Westfield Police Capt. Michael McCabe addressed comments that the department has received, as well as social media conversations after Tuesday’s unseasonably warm temperatures brought out people, both college students and otherwise, to enjoy the weather, as well as claims of alleged “unruly” behavior by college students. McCabe wants the residents to be aware that the students are also residents and that many contribute positively to the community, and that the department works with the student body and Westfield State University (WSU) to try and prevent issues from occurring.
Westfield Police Capt. Michael McCabe
McCabe outlined the many steps the department takes, especially the community policing arm of the department, to make sure that, as much as possible, full-time residents of Westfield and the student population are able to live harmoniously and without incident.
“I don’t know of any police departments that go to the extent that we go to to strike a balance between students and citizens–and the rights are the same,” McCabe said.
McCabe said that the community police department works with WSU, landlords and students to try and make sure problems do not arise through many different interactions and meetings with several groups. These meetings include going to both freshmen orientations in June and to sports orientations in the fall to introduce the police and talk with the students, as well as monthly landlord meetings with those who rent their properties to college students.
“It’s an extremely proactive approach to policing,” McCabe said.
In addition, the police catalog all college-related reports from their department and distribute them every Monday to WSU Public Safety and Residential Life Departments, as well as parents. Also, landlords are notified of any transgressions that may occur at their properties.
Additional proactive measures, according to McCabe, include checking establishments within the city for distribution of alcohol, seeking out and making notifications of college houses prior to complaints occurring on nights when it may be busy, as well as increased patrols and staffing on the nights of Thursday through Saturday.
Also, McCabe said city ordinances that are in place allow for fines starting at $100 for certain offenses, as well as ordinances in place to have landlords evict tenants in extreme cases, or incur a $1,000 fine themselves.
McCabe also wanted to make it clear that although some students may be possible culprits to issues, not all of the students are negatively impactful. McCabe said that many students work as interns for many different city departments, as well as volunteer within the community.
“We have to recognize the value of the students. Their volunteerism in the myriad of internships–they’re intertwined in many public service industries,” he said.
“All areas are supported and enhanced by the student body at [WSU] and it’s truly important to remember those who get internships here stay here, and have been a part of the Westfield fabric for years,” he added.
Additionally, McCabe wanted residents to know that if there are incidents, whether it involves students or not, that they do not hesitate to call 911 and allow the police to address whatever issue has arisen. This, according to McCabe, was in relation to a complaint on social media related to younger students being afraid of walking home past groups of college students, which found its way onto social media.
“I emphasize with the parents that had students afraid to walk home, but I want people to remember to call the police in a timely fashion,” he said. “Timeliness is everything.”
