The weather may have been worse and the concert may have been better, but it seems this year's Spring Fling was similar to previous ones in terms of police activity.
Initial reports show that the number of Spring Fling-related alcohol and crime incidents is likely to be in line with numbers from past years.
Police reported 21 such incidents during the weekend, including 14 hospitalizations due to intoxication and four arrests. Three alcohol citations are on the books so far, but that number is expected to grow.
The number of party disturbances isn't yet available and will likely push the total number still higher.
There were 60 reported alcohol- and crime-related incidents during last year's Fling activities, including 19 hospitalizations due to intoxication, one arrest, 19 party disturbances and five instances of simple assault.
There were 16 alcohol citations reported.
Fling 2004 witnessed 43 incidents and 2003 saw 41, not counting alcohol citations.
Vice President for Public Safety Maureen Rush said that on the whole, despite this year's incidents, students cooperated with police and volunteers from FlingSafe, a student-run safety initiative.
Rush credited the success of this year's Fling to the cooperation of organizations such as Medical Emergency Response Team, a student-run emergency health service.
"Being students definitely helps," said MERT Chief and College junior Andrew Mener.
A Penn student was arrested Thursday evening for possession of drugs. He also received an alcohol citation for having an open container of alcohol outside the 4100 block of Spruce Street. Another student was arrested for disorderly conduct Saturday.
The weekend also saw an incident in which Penn Police apprehended two men for attempting to rob four female students -- three of whom attend the University -- on the 3400 block of Locust Walk at about 3:30 a.m. Sunday morning.
One of the two men fired a gunshot into the air after the women refused to hand over their pocketbooks, police say.
He fled with two of the pocketbooks and jumped into a waiting vehicle at 36th and Spruce streets, according to Penn Police. Officers continued the pursuit by car and arrested the suspects at 26th and Annin streets, in the Gray's Ferry section of the city.
The arrest "sends a message to would-be perpetrators," Rush said. "This is not a good place" to commit crimes like this.
Rush said the DPS' efforts over Fling are commendable as well.
"Public safety never sleeps, particularly on Spring Fling weekend," Rush said.
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