Fly-Guy on the Run

by Max Heintz

On Thursday, November 20th at about 7am, plain-clothed Public Safety officers approached three students suspected of distributing flyers advertising local bars and clubs. Two of the students, one from Hofstra and the other an Adelphi undergrad, were apprehended. The third, a Nassau County Community College student, allegedly bolted to his car and attempted to flee the scene. Careening through the parking lot, the unidentified student clipped a Public Safety officer, causing minor injury to his knee, according to Public Safety Director, Don Barto.

In an interview, Barto indicated that this incident was only part of a much larger problem at Adelphi. Barto clarified the nature of this problem saying, "students and outsiders are being paid money to distribute these flyers on campus, [it] takes away from your safety to follow this nonsense."

"It's coming to the point where Public Safety officers have to come off patrol and try to catch these people," added Associate Director of Public Safety Gene Palma.

Both Public Safety officials emphasized that distributing any flyers without a permit is against Adelphi rules, a point echoed by Joe DeGearo, Assistant Dean of Residential and Judicial Affairs. "This kind of distribution (of flyers promoting such activities) is against University policy."

In addition, DeGearo, Barto, and Palma all emphasized that distributing these flyers is also against Garden City law; such activity is considered illegal soliciting. The same ordinance also states that those paying the students to distribute flyers are breaking the law.

Barto and Palma also emphasized their concern for the students' safety and expressed their feelings that these flyers present a direct affront to that safety. They indicated that because these area hot spots serve alcohol and target underage students dents, the flyers advertising them contribute to alcohol abuse and all the hazards associated with it. Barto and Palma expressed concern over students drinking and driving or being at risk for some sort of misconduct. "This is a serious thing," emphasized Barto.

Another concern is the effect of these flyers themselves on the physical safety of Adelphi students, i.e. students tripping on the slippery paper products and hurting themselves. "We don't want anyone getting hurt," said Palma. Barto and Palma cited the sheer volume of these flyers in high traffic areas such as Hagedorn Hall as evidence of this possibility.

University officials are also concerned with the burden the flyer presence places on housekeeping staff as well as its affect on Adelphi's appearance, both physical and cerebral. Joe DeGearo characterized the flyers as a "cost to the university," as the presence of flyers advertising bars and clubs may give visitors to Adelphi a negative impression of the campus.

DeGearo also emphasized that active efforts were being made to prevent further distribution of these flyers on campus, the first step is to make students better aware that this sort of thing is illegal and has its consequences. He indicated that in the future some sort of statement to this effect would be published. "There are no perfect solutions but as long as we stay diligent, we can make a difference," he stated.

DeGearo described the actions being undertaken to curb flyer distribution, which included Residence Hall staff trying to catch distributors. Still, community education as to the consequences of such actions seems to form the backbone of the University's anti-flyer campaign.

Of the three students apprehended on November 20th, the N.C.C.C student was charged with reckless endangerment and issued a summons by the Garden City Police Department. All three were issued charged with soliciting and issued summonses in accordance with these charges.