Opinion Article of Interest: Jan Burton's "Let's get serious about the Hill"
The following opinion article appeared in the Daily Camera on August 12, 2020
Opinion: Jan Burton:
Let’s get serious about the Hill
By DAILY CAMERA GUEST OPINION | openforum@dailycamera.com and JAN BURTON | Boulder Daily Camera
August 12, 2020 at 4:00 p.m.
By Jan Burton
Ka-BOOOOM!!!
Blasted two inches off my mattress, I was wide awake, heart pounding. It sounded like a bomb exploding in the alley, right behind my house. A quick glance at my phone showed 1:44 a.m. Should I call the police, or just try to go back to sleep? Three hours later, still tossing and turning, I wished I had called the police. I figure the police can’t do anything to counter my sleep deprivation, and it’s difficult for them to track down the culprits who prowl nightly on the Hill, setting off mortars, M80s and who knows what else. I wonder about the cumulative effects of sleep deprivation for Hill residents in summer 2020. This is becoming an all too frequent experience for those living on the Hill. In prior years, those of us living close to campus have been accustomed to parties and the occasional disruptions, but this has been a spring and summer to remember. Most students left Boulder during spring break when the University of Colorado Boulder started online classes, but many who remained stayed to party, especially after CU allowed for pass-fail grades. The parties have been epic, reported by residents to the police and documented by the Daily Camera – 30 or more students gathered close together, mask-less, with music blaring, pongs ponging, and alcohol flowing. Police, called by neighbors to stop the parties, “educate” the happy revelers, to no effect. The city finally reacted when national news covered video of hundreds of partiers at Boulder Creek. Boulder was officially out of control. Unfortunately, it is still out of control. In mid-June, Boulder amended the Abatement of Public Nuisance Code to combat the sudden increase in coronavirus cases among student-aged populations — confirming that the previous “warnings and education” were not changing behavior. This code allowed officials to pursue abatement if a property repeatedly has noise violations or hosts large gatherings. Still, their solution to code violations was more of the same: “facilitated conversations or mediation.” A good first step, but as every parent knows, first steps must be followed by consequences. The number of COVID-19 cases in the 18-29 age group have skyrocketed. Although young people often do not suffer the consequences of COVID-19 like older people do, the risk that asymptomatic people will pass it on to others, especially essential workers like grocery store workers and health care workers is very real. In addition to rampant violations of COVID-19 public health orders, student behavior has contributed to other significant community dangers. A recent shooting on the Hill sent two people to the hospital, and fireworks set off a small fire on Flagstaff Mountain. We all know what could have happened if the winds had been stronger that evening. The University Hill Neighborhood Association and various other groups have been working for years with the city and campus to implement actions with consequences. But there are no examples of substantial fines assessed, students being expelled, or nuisance houses closed down. On Aug. 5, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced that the city of Los Angeles will begin shutting off power and water to those properties hosting parties. Citing a quadrupling of COVID-19 cases among 18-29 year olds, Garcetti stated: “While we have already closed all bars and nightclubs, these large house parties have essentially become nightclubs.” Perhaps in 2023, Boulder will elect its first mayor, who hopefully will declare his/her position on these issues. But for now, with thousands of students returning to Boulder for the fall semester, most of them living off campus, the City Council should take direction from its larger cousin, LA. Let’s admit that talking, educating, and mediating has not worked. There should be real consequences to students, non-students, and rental property owners for dangerous, unlawful behavior. Tickets, turning off utilities, and repealing rental licenses for repeat offenders are examples that should be implemented. CU also needs to accept accountability for students living off campus. For too long, the university has relied on Boulder neighborhoods to absorb their growing student population, with rental property owners enriching themselves at no associated risk. Neighbors are the ones who suffer from poor student behavior, with nowhere to turn, while property owners sleep soundly in off-site locations. Enough is enough. City and campus leaders must accept accountability for the lax enforcement of health orders and code violations. On-campus and off-campus students should be held to the same student code of conduct requirements. Let’s get serious about enforcing nuisance codes and public health directives, especially when lives are at stake.