I would like to comment on the oppressive regime that occupied Ames this last weekend. Friday night, I was on my way to a friend’s house for a little grilling and beers. I quickly jaywalked across West Street when a police car turned the corner, slowed down to my walking speed and the two cops looked over at me as if to say, “We’re watching you.” When I got up to my friends’ apartments and went to the deck overlooking the corner of West and Campus, I was shocked. Nearly every other car was a cop. Many people were given the same treatment I was, especially those coming out of the bars. The cops even shone their spotlight on one guy who was just minding his own business.

Two young men coming out of one bar and heading for a friend’s house not 20 yards away were pulled over. The police gave them field sobriety tests and Breathalyzers and then arrested one of them. I saw the whole thing; neither of them was particularly drunk, nor were they causing any problems. In my opinion, if you have to give someone a test to see if they’re drunk, they’re not drunk enough for public intox. It took three cop cars to arrest one person who was cooperating the whole time (while no doubt, five drunk drivers passed by)! Veishea was only a success because of fear and intimidation. If it’s going to be like that next year, you might as well cancel it, because I will never subject myself to that kind of atmosphere again.

P. Ryan Bergman

Senior

Community and regional planning