Kent State University Police Services would like to remind students to act responsibly this St. Patrick’s Day.

“The message we like to send to students is you need to be following the laws and be responsible,” Officer Jeff Futo said.

Some students feel that the Monday holiday will not stop people from going out to celebrate.

“I feel like a lot of people will probably end up just skipping classes,” senior psychology major Rossalyn Devo said.

Michael Fuller, general manager at Water Street Tavern, said he does not expect a Monday St. Patrick’s Day to be a problem, though they are expecting and preparing for a busy holiday.

“I don’t think it will be an issue at all,” Fuller said. “Only two years in a seven year period are on a weekend, and we are always busy.”

Other local businesses are preparing for a busy weekend and a slow holiday.

Dan Brubaker, bartender at The Loft, said it is hard to tell if it will affect business, but he expects a slower-than-average St. Patrick’s Day.

“I don’t think we will be as busy because on Saturday and Sunday, people have more time to go out and party if they don’t have work or school,” Brubaker said.

Campus police want students to know that if they do plan to party, they need to do it safely. 

“We want everyone to take care of themselves, take care of their friends and to be safe,” Futo said.

Futo said that students who plan on drinking this St. Patrick’s Day can do simple things like keeping track of how much they drink and watching out for friends to make sure they get home safely.

 “If your friend has had too much alcohol and they need medical attention, please call,” he said. “We will send medical [help] over there to take care of them and do what we need to do.”

Futo said police services is more concerned with the safety and welfare of the students than making sure they are charged with a crime.

“That is not to say that something might not be applicable, but our first and foremost is to make sure that people are safe,” Futo said.

Sophomore accounting major Brennan Otto said he would hesitate to call police services if his friend needed medical attention.

“I would try to get them medical attention without getting the police involved because I am looking out for their career and education,” he said. “At the same time, I would do what I had to do to get them the medical attention.”

Futo said students should not just assume they will get in trouble with the police if they call them for help.

“Policy violations or violations of the law are secondary to us, and depending on the situation may be overlooked as long as that person is taken care of,” he said.

 After reviewing the calls they have received through the years, Futo said there is not a significant difference in the number of calls they receive between St. Patrick’s Day and an average weekend.

“That tells me that, in general, students are being responsible,” Futo said. “In general, it appears people have the right focus and are being responsible about what they are doing.”

For more information on Campus Police Services, visit www.kent.edu/police/index.cfm.

Contact Nathan Havenner at [email protected].