An angry mob

A week after a melee erupted when police forced hundreds of students from a sorority event, Penn still has not launched an investigation into the incident. Students who were chased away from World Cafe Live last Thursday night have alleged that police officers used excessive force and handled the situation inappropriately.

They may be right. The police, on the other hand, may have properly handled the situation and not done anything wrong.

The answer to this, though, will only come out through a full and public investigation. Why this has not been undertaken by now is puzzling.

Penn generally jumps at the chance to form a committee to look into events like this. Most of the time, the University brings together knowledgeable people and civilly discusses the issues.

Why not now? Why not in this case, especially considering that some recent investigations have looked into events affecting far fewer people?

The Alpha Chi Omega sorority event drew a crowd in excess of 500 students. There is clear evidence that when Penn and Philadelphia police officers started removing students who were waiting outside the venue, it was not just a stern talking-to. Police were physical in restraining several students, as well as bouncers from World Cafe Live. Whether that force crossed the line is exactly the question on the minds of scores of students, those who attended the event and those who did not alike.

The University owes it to its students and its police officers to clear up this issue. Further, the same question of force can easily be asked of the Philadelphia Police. They were just as much a part of this incident as anyone else and should take a serious look at how they treated students in its course.

Putting this issue off will only breed more skepticism among students who already feel wronged.

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