Hamden citizens have long disapproved of parties thrown by Quinnipiac students, but now some residents are taking steps to prevent and disrupt any chances of off-campus partying.
“I am going to organize and at the least take care of the problem on my block,” Hamden resident Eliad Laskin said. “We can take back the town in numbers and block by block. I am going to go door-to-door in my neighborhood and mobilize.”
When Hamdenites want to file a complaint about QU students, they are advised to contact the Hamden Police Department, a Quinnipiac Hotline, or Chief of Security & Safety David Barger and Associate Vice President for Facilities Administration Joseph Rubertone, according to Hamden Zoning enforcement guidelines. Some feel these methods have proved to be ineffective.
“Citizens may start taking matters into their own hands if this continues, because Hamden and QU have done nothing,” Laskin said.
Hamden officials declined comment. Assistant Town Planner Daniel Kops said in earlier interactions with Hamden residents who have issues with Quinnipiac student behavior that the police department would be the most effective means of enforcement. Hamden’s Planning Office cannot go after tenants for bad behavior.
The zoning guidelines provide a list of legitimate reasons for complaint under the title of “Student Housing Complaints to Police Department and Quinnipiac Security.” Those reasons include loud parties, underage drinking, noise, lewd behavior (i.e. public urination or vomiting), and obstruction in parking.
Some townsfolk have suggested other ways to handle rebellious students.
“I say use pepper spray,” Hamden resident Alicia Panayotakis said in a Facebook post on the Town of Hamden’s page. “Spray the intruders, say you thought they were taking something out of their pants and wasn’t sure what is was. It’s your property for God’s sake. Also, put up a ‘No Trepassing’ sign and they can be arrested, this comes from the police.”
According to Laskin, the issue goes as far as safety for the students themselves.
“I also worry about the safety of the students, of which many walk to the parties on unlit roads without sidewalks,” Laskin said.
