On Sept. 22 police stopped a 19-year-old man, who was not a student, after a Philippi Hall staff member reported that he refused to stop or sign in, according to arrest records.
Police discovered he was carrying alcohol and issued him a trespass notice.
The man cannot return to campus property for the next year without facing possible jail time.
University of Southern Maine police officials say they don’t mess around when someone violates the law. Anyone on the campus community who commits an act of assault, sexual assault or domestic violence or who demonstrates a pattern of harassment will be issued a criminal trespass notice.
As of Sept. 27, there were 60 active notices. The number varies from high to low because when the police department receives a request for a notice, they research the name and person to make sure the information and the reason are valid.
According to police, a criminal trespass notice bans the accused from the following areas: all buildings and grounds belonging to or under control of USM, except to attend classes; all buildings and grounds belonging to or under the control of USM after normal business hours; all residence halls; all vehicles belonging to or under the control of USM; and any other area that the officer wishes to specify.
USM Police serve the notices when someone breaks the law or otherwise causes problems on campus, said Chief Lisa Beecher of the USM Police Department.
When issuing a notice, the officer explains to the person what the order is, why they have received it, what specific locations are off-limits, and how long the notice is in effect. All notices are in effect for a varied amount of time. Some may last six months, others for a year. If officials feel it is necessary for the person to remain off location, the notice must be reissued.
Occasionally the perpetrator will return to the area from which they are banned and an officer will recognize them, Beecher said. However, they are also informed of the trespasser through community members who call in to report the intruder, or they receive information from others. If the trespasser is caught, they are physically arrested and brought to jail.
On Sept. 20, a resident assistant reportedly recognized a female student in Philippi Hall who is currently on the trespass list, according to police records. The report is under investigation.
“Once one has received an order and they violate it, that is an offense under the conduct code, a violation of the Office of Community Standards, and a criminal offense for which they will be held criminally accountable,” said Det. Ron Saindon of the USM Police Department.
USM police officials and Steve Nelson, assistant to the vice president for the Office of Community Standards, issue notices to students and to outsiders who have engaged in illegal activity, said Beecher.
Nelson issues notices to peoples who violate policies, non-students that are not someone’s guest, and students violating the conduct code to a level of violence that rises to them not being permitted in the residence halls.
The third time a resident has violated the conduct code, Nelson gives them a notice that removes them from housing. However, they are still allowed to be in the residence halls as someone’s guest.
The fourth time the student has violated the code, they receive a notice saying they may not enter the residence halls even as someone’s guest.
The police department issues notices to those who have caused a larger problem and need to be refrained from all areas, which Beecher refers to as a “blanket.” However, they can also issue less restrictive notices.
Last year Nelson issued trespass notices to students who had been expelled from the university campus for attempting arson, four students who were drug dealers, and one student who had been downloading child pornography on the university system.
“I believe the notices are a valuable tool for the University to have in order to ensure safety and security of all faculty, staff, and students,” said Nelson.
Staff Writer Aimee Risteen can be contacted at: [email protected]