U of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Increase Patrols for Off-Campus Parties
- By Yvonne Marquez
- September 14, 2020
Campus police at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee are increasing patrols for large off-campus parties in an effort to stop large gatherings before they happen during the coronavirus pandemic.
"We're trying to prevent the large gatherings from happening in the first place," UWM Police Chief Joseph LeMire said at a press briefing. "The message for students wanting to attend large parties is don't do it. That has to be the message."
Videos of parties during the Labor Day weekend have alarmed the Milwaukee Health Department.
UWM “strongly discourages” in-person social gatherings with people outside the same household who aren’t social distancing or wearing face coverings. The university advises students to review the current city orders regarding COVID-19, which limit gatherings to half the total occupancy of the location.
LeMire said the department plans to break up gatherings of 10 to 15 people in the afternoon and early evening to prevent the gathering from becoming larger. The campus police is working with Milwaukee PD to monitor crowds in the evening.
"It's an educational process," the chief told ABC News. "We're intervening at a lower level, a more educational level, talking with them, explaining with them, helping people understand that this isn't just about you."
The university has a process to students accountable if they violate health and safety standards, UWM Dean of Students Adam Jussel told a local news station. He did not mention what those processes look like.
The Milwaukee campus has reported 70 positive coronavirus cases since the Aug. 3, according to the university’s coronavirus dashboard.