A partnership between the Stevens Point Police Department and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point will step up efforts to enhance safety and reduce high-risk drinking at homes and establishments in the community.
The Safe University Community Project, or Safe Point, aims to reduce dangerous alcohol use and minimize community concerns in Stevens Point. The project focuses on building a sense of community between students and neighbors, promoting safety at off-campus parties and increasing enforcement of alcohol-related laws.
This initiative is possible because of an $8,000 grant from the Portage County Coalition for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA) Prevention. UW-Stevens Point Dean of Students Troy Seppelt came up with the idea and developed the program with Stevens Point Police Chief Marty Skibba.
Goals are to educate students living off campus about safe, respectful and legal event planning; to increase responsible hosting and serving alcohol, whether in homes or commercial settings; to reduce dangerous and excessive alcohol consumption; and address related problems.
"If students choose to be party goers or party throwers, we want them to do so safely," Seppelt said. "We are focused on reducing the risks of alcohol-related problems, both personal and legal, as well as promoting safer events and respectful community membership."
Campus and community partners will share information about state and local laws, promote protective behaviors such as alternating non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks, emergency services and safe transportation options. They will encourage participation in neighborhood community building and communication between student and non-student neighbors.
In addition, Stevens Point Police officers will increase community safety patrols to enhance visibility, relationship building and neighborhood safety. "Enforcement is needed. Equally important is education and support for our young people," Skibba said.
In the past year, city and university police have visited students living near campus and shared information about safe, lawful activity. Those efforts will increase, as will compliance checks at taverns and other establishments that sell alcohol. The goal is to limit access to those who are not of legal drinking age. "We'll have an increased presence where alcohol is served," Skibba said.
"This program brings together a multitude of entities that recognize the need for frequency of education and consistency in message," he said.
Alcohol is a factor in more than 1,800 deaths and nearly 600,000 unintentional injuries among college students nationwide each year, according to data compiled for the grant. According to a survey by the university's Center for Prevention this year, 29 percent of UW-Stevens Point students responding said they did not drink before college but now consume alcohol.
Students will learn about the program through messages from campus and community leaders and through the Student Government Association, a partner in this effort.
"We are excited to work with the University and the City of Stevens Point on this student safety program, which covers key areas of concern including community and health," said Katie Hansen, student body vice president. Student government leaders will produce a video message to students and share Safe Point information on various communication channels.
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