Although the Hopkins Security department has reported nearly 65 community noise complaints since Sept. 1, a number almost triple that of last year's tally, Lt. Steven Ossmus attributes this rise to more vigilant reporting on the part of Hopkins security officers.
According to Ossmus, investigations coordinator for Hopkins Security, noise complaints were not always thoroughly reported in years past. With recent efforts to heighten campus security, officers are now encouraged to report all noise complaints in the hopes of improving community relations.
"The whole objective is to reduce complaints," said Ossmus. "We want to be good neighbors with the community. We want more physical representation on paper, on the security report, so we are reinforcing that more this year."
All noise complaints are funneled to Salem Reiner, director of community relations at Hopkins. Reiner acts as a liaison between the community and the University, addressing complaints, communicating with neighborhood organizations and discussing specific complaints with the students involved.
"At times, I'll knock on students doors and say, 'These are some of the things your neighbors have been complaining about,'" said Reiner.
Of the 65 complaints reported, all but four involved Hopkins students. Twenty-four involved the Baltimore City Police department, and the rest were responded to by a Hopkins Security officer. In the majority of incidents, students complied with requests to turn down music, move party goers inside or disperse large crowds.
On five occasions, police officers were forced to shut down parties. Two arrests resulted from noise complaints, one for disorderly conduct and another for a disorderly house.
According to Reiner, the number of complaints from community members has actually gone down since last year, but the severity of certain complaints has been greater.
"Overall, compared with the last two years, the aggregate number of issues seems to be down a little bit," Reiner said. "But the severity with some of the incidents has been worse. Several incidents involved particular parties and properties being more problematic."
Reiner said recent budget cuts in the Northern District Police Department have left fewer officers available for patrol. As a result, the police department "is becoming more aggravated when they have to deal with noise complaints."
"When officers get pulled off the street to respond to a noise complaint, they get less and less patient in dealing with repetitive complaints," he said.
To avoid the need for police response, Hopkins Security sends officers to respond to any noise complaints that are dispatched to the police department. In addition, officers try to address potential noise problems even before complaints are made.
"We try to marry up an officer with every call that goes through to the Baltimore police," Ossmus said. "Sometimes we're there before they are. Our officers do an excellent job of mediating any problems and avoiding future contact with the police department. We don't go out to arrest students, and we don't want to see them get arrested."
According to Baltimore City Police Public Information Officer Nicole Monroe, university security departments play a significant role in helping the police.
"College is a time for young adults to enjoy themselves. That's why we prefer to let Hopkins take the lead with noise complaints," Monroe said. "If they need us, of course we are there."
Monroe, who used to patrol the Mount Royal area around the Maryland College Institute of Art, said students are generally very cooperative. Problems arise when the police receive a second noise complaint, or when parties grow out of control.
"If students fail to comply, we usually get a second call. Students can then be cited for violating city ordinances," Monroe said. "If there are too many people in a small area [and] whatever is supposed to be going on is bleeding into the streets, or if it appears [the host] is not in control of the situation, police officers are duty-bound to take action and break up the party."
A student can be charged with a disorderly household if numerous, ongoing complaints demonstrate that the house is becoming a nuisance. Monroe said the actions of particular individuals can lead to further arrests for disorderly conduct or disorderly intoxication.
Monroe stressed that the police are "always concerned when minor infractions affect the community, and these deserve a response just as much as any serious incident."
While no additional patrols have been deployed for the specific purpose of addressing noise complaints, Ossmus said noise complaints do "distract from overall prevention."
Reiner agreed.
"When two or three officers are taken off the street to respond to a noise complaint, that's two or three officers that aren't patrolling the area," Reiner said.
Monroe said students should be responsible when throwing parties, and should keep the needs of neighbors in mind.
"Students should be aware that in throwing a party there are responsibilities that come with that," Monroe said. "Students should be mindful of the space and the amount of people invited and whether it's becoming a safety issue."
