In the past two months, there has been an increase in the number of warnings and subsequent citations Bowdoin students have received regarding civil alcohol laws from the Brunswick Police Department (BPD). Associate Vice President of the Office of Safety and Security Randy Nichols disclosed in an email to the Orient that these citations are due to a rising number of disturbance calls from Brunswick residents.

“The recent increase in citations and warnings at off-campus student residences is the result of repeated neighborhood disturbance calls at certain locations,” Nichols wrote. “Some of the off-campus rental properties have had several visits from the police in recent months. At the officers’ discretion, most of the time students were warned.”

These warnings have led to citations issued at three off-campus student houses in October and January. These citations were after multiple warnings from BPD. Due to the increased number of complaints and citations, Nichols wrote of the imminent problems students in off-campus housing might experience.

“Some off-campus houses, due to recurring complaints, are in danger of violating the town’s disorderly house ordinance,” Nichols wrote. “That can result in property owners (landlords) being called in to meet with the police chief to devise a remediation plan to resolve the problem.”

The crackdown on alcohol laws also extends to various establishments on Maine Street, which have become wary of fake IDs. Barry Hull, the owner of Social Goose Bar, expressed how the large number of fake IDs they received last year has caused them to rethink their policy.

“The rule is in place due to all the issues with fake IDs last year. We had like 200 fake IDs,” Hull said.

After reaching out to the College about the increased amount of fake IDs from students, Social Goose and some other establishments were advised to require Bowdoin OneCards as a second form of identification.

“When these establishments report such concerns to the College, we have reminded them that some licensed establishments have had success requiring two forms of ID. All Bowdoin students have a Bowdoin OneCard, for example, and the red stripe on the card is an easy indicator that the student is under age 21,” Nichols wrote.

Hull expressed uncertainty with requiring green-stripe OneCards as over the past week he has turned away several students who were all over the age of 21 but still had their red-stripe OneCards.

“I’m rethinking the green-stripe ID rule.… Our policy is up in the air now. I don’t want to turn [students] away,” Hull said. “This past week I turned away 12 kids who don’t have the green stripe but were all over 21. So I’m rethinking it because I want people who are over 21 to be able to come in here and have fun.”

Mike Jerome, the owner of Tonic at Bolos, another bar in Brunswick, stated that they ask for a second form of identification from everyone with an out-of-state ID, whether they are a Bowdoin student or not.

“What we do is, if someone has an out-of-state ID, we require a second ID. We know what to look at for Maine IDs to make sure they’re real. We don’t know about out-of-state IDs,” Jerome said. “What’s good about Bowdoin IDs … is they have your birthday on them, so they’re a good second form of ID.”

Nichols detailed advice for students going forward regarding police encounters surrounding alcohol policy.

“Students can greatly reduce the likelihood of an encounter with the police by not carrying open containers of alcohol, not driving after consuming alcohol and keeping noise levels low in the neighborhoods surrounding campus,” Nichols wrote. “If a student is in violation of the law and has an encounter with the police, it is best to remain calm, provide identification when asked and be cooperative. That does not mean you should incriminate yourself. You are not required to answer any questions, especially without an attorney present.”