Tailgating might undergo changes

Football tailgaters may see a change in police presence in the Red Lot area next year.\nThe IU Athletics Department may consider recent tailgating rowdiness in its annual evaluation of athletic event procedures.\n"We do have growing concerns over some behavior getting out of hand," said Kit Klingelhoffer, associate athletic director.\nIU Police Department Lt. Jerry Minger said mounted police officers from IU-Purdue University at Indianapolis, officers wearing orange vests and more organized parking arrangements have all been effective methods of crowd control in the past. \nMinger said tailgaters with no intention of attending the game bring sound systems to rival most local bands. Combined with truckloads of kegs and wet environmental circumstances, tailgating situations have gotten out of hand.\nThe department is currently gathering information based on suggestions from local officers and past security measures, Minger said. \nAn IUPD officer was injured while making an arrest when a spectator threw a beer bottle during last week's IU-Purdue game.\n"If you show right away that this (behavior) is not tolerated, it diffuses a lot of potential situations," Minger said.\nWhile the athletics department has yet to discuss the situation, new evaluations have some students worried. \nTo protect student interests, IU Student Association President Casey Cox said he will participate in the athletics sub-committee in charge of evaluating tailgating.\n"My view is that the University occasionally oversteps its bounds," Cox said. "I'd really hate to see tailgating put to an end altogether. I think that would be a step in the wrong direction."\nCox said he has faith in the student body to enjoy themselves without increased security measures.\n"We can still have a good time without being a safety hazard," Cox said.\nBut Minger said tailgaters might barely notice a stepped-up security presence and mounted officers will provide a more established sense of order.\n"For the most part, it won't appear any different to the average spectator," Minger said. "The psychology of seeing an officer on a large animal has a diffusing effect."\nMinger said the majority of tailgaters enjoy the festivities responsibly. Only a few tailgaters with large speakers and too much alcohol cause trouble, and officials will respond accordingly.\n"We're not going to call every foul," Minger said. "That wouldn't make for much of a game."\n-- Contact staff writer Mike McElroy at mmcelroy@indiana.edu.