Crime & Safety

Georgetown University Warns Students about New Disorderly Conduct Rules

In an email Georgetown University warns students of the new arrestable offenses stemming from the change to the District's disorderly conduct law.

Following the that went into effect Feb. 1, Georgetown University sent an email Feb. 2 warning students of the potential consequences for them. 

The Disorderly Conduct Amendment Act of 2010 (see PDF) expands the definition of "disorderly conduct" and gives officers the ability to make an arrest for offenses such as making loud noises, without a 911 call or neighbor complaint. 

In the email to students, Todd Olsen, vice president for student affairs, wrote that the amended law "may have particular implications for university students throughout the District of Columbia, especially related to noise and conduct off campus."

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That was made pretty clear when Lieutenant John Hedgecock told neighbors that officers "plan on enforcing the law." He even joked, "we've been known to have a few house parties [in Georgetown."

According to the new law, if the police observe a house party that is producing "noise that is likely to create a disturbance of the peace" the officer can make arrests without warning. The hosts and residents of the house could we arrested, warned Olsen

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Olsen wrote that the University has "questions about the implementation of this new law and will request that MPD enforcement be done in a fair and consistent manner throughout the District of Columbia."

The changes in the law hit a nerve with neighbors who are over the 10-year campus plan and proposals to add more graduate students. At the ANC meeting, several spoke up in approval about the new disorderly conduct definitions, seeing at a possible medicine for the late nigh revelries of students on residential streets.

Olsen reminded student of the importance of "thoughtful, respectful behavior in residential areas off campus at night."


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