Narragansett-URI Coaliton
Coalition Goals
GOAL 1 - Reduce events that result in noise complaints and police response
| Narragansett Police report a 39% decline in complaints from September-December 1999 to September-December 2000 | Improved communication results in pro-active policing and a quicker response to changes in party patterns (e.g., mobility for smaller, serial parties). |
| Narragansett Police e-mail realtors information about party complaints to facilitate quick response | Realtors, owners and URI representative meet with problem renters |
| University administrators meet with students involved in more serious violations | Narragansett Police call property owners to notify them of tenants with disturbing parties |
| University establishes Hotline to report problems | University gives Narragansett Police list of property owners renting through Commuter Housing Office |
| Model lease created and distributed to independent landlords through Commuter Housing Office | Commuter Housing Office encourages out-of-state landlords to file form designating in-state representative |
| Narragansett Police create "party house list" with escalated penalties for problem dwellings | Relevant town ordinances are required to be posted in rental homes |
| Maps are used at meetings to illustrate problem houses where police visits occurred | Narragansett Police certify 10 officers to present evidence in court measuring noise levels |
| Homecoming incidents off-campus decreased from 19 complaints, 7 arrests in 2002 to 9 complaints, 4 arrests in 2003 | Narragansett Police initiate bike patrols |
GOAL 2 - Reduce drinking and driving and address other safety issues that impact students and residents
| Undercover checks for underage sales in area package stores | Bar checks |
| Arrests for underage transportation of alcohol | Fake ID arrests |
| Members of Coalition wrote grant for $400,000 from USDOJ for enforcement of DUI laws | Realtors and Commuter Housing Office advise students about property protection during semester break |
GOAL 3 - Improve communication within the Coalition and between the Coalition, students, and residents
| University creates and prints Living Down the Line Guide; Coalition members help distribute | Door tags printed by University distributed by Coalition members twice a year |
| Eastward Look Association hosts September brunch | Realtors and URI compile e-mail addresses for off-campus students |
| Spring clean-up in '01 and '02 | University establishes Hotline to report problems |
| Guide for Off-campus Living is updated and printed yearly by the University and distributed by realtors, Commuter Housing, Neighborhood Associations, Town Clerk's office | Narragansett Police produce brochure describing their programs |
| Coalition web site is updated with this year's meeting times | Commuter Housing Office gives property the Narragansett code, the model lease, the Out-of-State Landlord form, the Landlord Registration form and puts these documents on the Web page |
| Notice of Coalition meetings appear on the Town calendar and in the campus newspaper; meeting attendance increases | The Hotline number is published in local newspapers and on the Web |
| 9/03 commuter welcome at Charlie O's has increased student attendance (50) | Eastward Look Association newsletter is distributed |
| Coalition Listserv is created | Town contacts out-of-state owners of rental properties about compliance with registration and in-state property mangers |
GOAL 4 - Advocate for appropriate state laws, policies, and ordinances and work with other RI groups to find solutions to common concerns
| Keg legislation passed | Amendments pass allowing implementation of keg law |
| Bill passes enabling prohibition of pub crawls | Noise ordinances passed in town of Narragansett |
| Bill passes increasing penalties for minors in possession; includes mandatory loss of license for 60 days |
GOAL 5 - Reduce underage access to alcohol
| University puts date of birth on student ID cards | Narragansett Police step-up bar checks |
| Local bars increase efforts to effectively monitor age | University sends letters to students and to parents of students arrested for false ID or underage possession |
| Narragansett Police report "Cops in Shops" reduces underage access to alcohol | Narragansett Police meet regularly with tavern and package store owners |
| New RI drivers licenses are more difficult to falsify |
GOAL 6 - Create more late night opportunities, activities, and facilities for students
| Transportation grant provides late buses to Providence | University supports First Night, Ram Tours, and other alcohol-free activities |
| Spring "Keg Olympics" party off campus is replaced by an on-campus event for student athletes called "Rhody Relays" | "Twelfth Night" activities on campus begin Fall '04 |
| Compiled a list of student volunteer activity in Narragansett | Spring clean-up in Spring '01 and Spring '02 |
| Spring '04 Neighborhood Clean-up has a record 150 students participate |
Additional Views
Enhance quality of life for residents and students
- A realtor installs trash corrals on rental properties for improved containment
- Increase efficacy of Coalition
- After reviewing the organization of town-gown coalitions nationally, Coalition structure is strengthened by creation of a Steering Committee and subcommittees
Increase support for Coalition goals
"Common Ground" project supported by two federal grants:
- $3.5 million awarded by NIAAA "Environmental Methods for Reducing College Drinking" Mark Wood PI
- $819,000 awarded by NIAAA "Environmental Methods with Town and Greek Coalitions" Fran Cohen PI
HOTLINE
401-874-5393
Police Reports Overview
Updated September 2009
Living Large Off Campus!
A Guided Workshop to Off Campus Living
For more information:
Gerald McCarthy, Co-Chair:
gmccarthy1@cox.net
Amanda Clarke, Co-Chair:
amanda_clarke@mail.uri.edu
Chief Joseph Little:
789-1091
