Police go too far in undercover stings, SSDP says
David Minsky
Issue date: 5/1/07 Section: News
Student activists are accusing University Police of violating students' privacy with overly aggressive drug enforcement tactics in the wake of several incidents in which officers posed as students or drug dealers.
Undercover officers frequently patrol hallways in dorms searching for would-be narcotics buyers, University Police spokeswoman Maj. Cathy Atwell said. But the activist group Students for Sensible Drug Policy said police crossed the line when an officer attempted to join their Facebook group under an assumed name. The students discovered the officer when they cross-referenced her e-mail address in the university directory.
Atwell said she did not know of the Facebook incident SSDP mentioned, but she defended officers' approach to busting students for drugs in student housing.
"This has always been a tactic that we've used," she said, noting that drug enforcement is a particular priority for University Police because drug use often leads to other types of crime. "Our police are committed to upholding the drug and alcohol policy. ... What's unreasonable about upholding the law?"
The Diamondback confirmed the officer's identity after viewing the notice of the officer's request to join the SSDP group and checking her identity in the directory. SSDP also produced e-mail correspondence with Facebook employees, who canceled the police officer's Facebook account after finding the officer, whose name is Julia Heng, was violating the social networking site's terms of service by using the name Joy Oliver.
Heng did not return messages left at the University Police station.
"[University] administrators should not be busting non-violent offenders," said Anastacia Cosner, the president of the university's SSDP chapter. "It's not even about the drugs. It's about freedom. Iit's about privacy."
NORML Terps has joined Cosner regarding her concern, and they worry police will continue to attempt to infiltrate their group, which is primarily aimed at prompting change in policy. The groups said they do not use illegal methods to reach their goals and do not deserve to be under surveillance via social networking sites.
Undercover officers frequently patrol hallways in dorms searching for would-be narcotics buyers, University Police spokeswoman Maj. Cathy Atwell said. But the activist group Students for Sensible Drug Policy said police crossed the line when an officer attempted to join their Facebook group under an assumed name. The students discovered the officer when they cross-referenced her e-mail address in the university directory.
Atwell said she did not know of the Facebook incident SSDP mentioned, but she defended officers' approach to busting students for drugs in student housing.
"This has always been a tactic that we've used," she said, noting that drug enforcement is a particular priority for University Police because drug use often leads to other types of crime. "Our police are committed to upholding the drug and alcohol policy. ... What's unreasonable about upholding the law?"
The Diamondback confirmed the officer's identity after viewing the notice of the officer's request to join the SSDP group and checking her identity in the directory. SSDP also produced e-mail correspondence with Facebook employees, who canceled the police officer's Facebook account after finding the officer, whose name is Julia Heng, was violating the social networking site's terms of service by using the name Joy Oliver.
Heng did not return messages left at the University Police station.
"[University] administrators should not be busting non-violent offenders," said Anastacia Cosner, the president of the university's SSDP chapter. "It's not even about the drugs. It's about freedom. Iit's about privacy."
NORML Terps has joined Cosner regarding her concern, and they worry police will continue to attempt to infiltrate their group, which is primarily aimed at prompting change in policy. The groups said they do not use illegal methods to reach their goals and do not deserve to be under surveillance via social networking sites.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 20
Ashlee
posted 5/01/07 @ 8:15 AM EST
Just because the University police are a part of the University structure does not make them any less law enforcement officers in the state of Maryland. (Continued…)
Jeff
posted 5/01/07 @ 11:58 AM EST
You have GOT to be kidding me!!!!! Have you people never heard of the term undercover police officer? Violating your rights.....please! What about the other students right to not be around an ILLEGAL SUBSTANCE? Unless the law changed and I don't know about it, marijuana is still illegal in this state. (Continued…)
h
posted 5/01/07 @ 12:11 PM EST
""Maybe they should be working on other types of crime instead of busting students with small amounts of pot," Cosner said. "I mean, who are they helping? This is not keeping me safe. (Continued…)
PM
posted 5/01/07 @ 12:18 PM EST
Being a member of SSDP or an SSDP does not neccesarily mean you are a drug user. These people were merely expressing a point of view. Although, it may seem likely that drug users would agree with SSDP's platform it still stands that wanting drug law reform and using drugs are not related. (Continued…)
Matt
posted 5/01/07 @ 12:23 PM EST
What's the point of the protest? The use of undercover officers in drug busts in universal, and from this story, legal. The best way to avoid worrying about drug bust is to. (Continued…)
Veronica
posted 5/01/07 @ 12:47 PM EST
Last time I checked, being in posession of, or selling marijuana is ILLEGAL!! If you don't want to be traumatized by getting arrested then DON'T BREAK THE LAW!! The Police are doing their job,they don't pick and choose what laws to enforce. (Continued…)
k
posted 5/01/07 @ 1:52 PM EST
I urge all of you to read the Diamondback's Editorial in the Opinion section, titled "Fear factor- Our View".
Brad
posted 5/01/07 @ 3:25 PM EST
A lot of you do not realize that even if you dont use marijuana, you can still become a victim of current marijuana laws. For example, last year my roomate was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana paraphernalia becasue he was with someone else who had paraphernalia. (Continued…)
cj
posted 5/01/07 @ 4:28 PM EST
$1050 for 1/4 a pound of pot!!!! That's outrageous. Looks like somebody got ripped off.
Only stupid people actually get caught selling pot.
cj
posted 5/01/07 @ 4:58 PM EST
a lot of people are also arrested when they are driving in a car that was used for an armed robbery - so what's your point. Want to stay out of jail? Stay away from people that are breaking laws. (Continued…)
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