Recently, we were visited around
Recently, we were visited around 11 p.m. on a weekend night by two students who wanted to know if we’d called a noise complaint on them. We hadn’t even noticed any noise on the block that night. We told them about the Old Fourth Ward’s organized teams of informants and sent them on their way.
There is another house on our block that’s caused real noise problems more than once, though. And we’ve come to the conclusion that calling the police on them would be a bad idea. Since the AAPD have gone on record as endorsing a “no-warnings” policy, we don’t think it’s fair to slap anyone with what could be a several-hundred-dollar fine - not including whatever alcohol charges they want to throw in - for having a party. As the Old Fourth Ward flyers put it, “Large fines are imposed…If our peace is disturbed, the police encourage us to call them at 994-2911. They want to help us enjoy a peaceful life in the OFW.”
We’ve had the police called on a party of ours in another city a while ago. And they told us to get off the porch (a third-story contraption that probably wasn’t even built to support that many people) and turn down the music, reasonably enough. That’s not what happens here.
Fuck tha police!
posted by js on October 30th, 2003 at 10:10 amSorry. Just wanted to say that I'm glad you've turned the comments on.
js
Even though I am a thrity-something, my opinion on the town-gown issue is much the same as it was when I was an undergrad, to wit: DID THESE IDIOTS NOT NOTICE THAT THERE WAS A UNIVERSITY IN THE TOWN WHEN THEY MOVED TO ANN ARBOR. COLLEGES HAVE STUDENTS, WHO TEND TO AHVE PARTIES, AND DRINK BEER AND THINGS LIKE THAT. WHY DON'T THEY MOVE!!!!
posted by Art on October 30th, 2003 at 12:39 pmbtw, you may want to check out Robert Honigman's website www.universitysecrets.com
posted by Art on October 30th, 2003 at 12:42 pmThis guy focuses on U-M, rather than Ann Arbor, but he has some splendid things to say.
I think your idea is a capital one — move the U of M to a real city (hell, move it out of Michigan if need be) and leave these pseudo-conscientious, hand-wringing neighborhood hall monitors to weather the economic backlash as best they can. The comfortable lifestyle of double lattes and foreign films that the “respectable bourgeoisie” of Ann Arbor prize so highly is built on the backs (and bank accounts) of the students they despise (and fear) so much. Without a fresh crop of students to bilk every year the AA slumlords will be raising rabbits in their backyards just to make it through the hungry winters.
posted by Boris on October 30th, 2003 at 12:44 pmI wish Michigan was somewhere like where Northwestern is. Closer to Chicago, farther from Detroit.
posted by Frank on October 31st, 2003 at 5:18 am