BY RAEGAN NEUFELD
In a year where the Hays Police Department has seen an increase in aggravated battery charges, aggravated assaults and sexual assaults, they have also dealt with an increase in civilian interferences when out on a case.
HPD Chief of Police Don Scheibler and University Police Chief Terrance Pierce were present at the Student Government Association’s weekly meeting to discuss the problems. According to Scheibler, HPD has had issues with people at parties throwing beer cans at officers and people interrupting their work.
“We had a young lady stopped for driving under the influence,” he said. “The officer pulled her over and tested her for a DUI. That’s what we pay these officers to do. Three people walking by interjected themselves in this, demanding what she was being arrested for, what she’s being stopped for and became very confrontational with the officers.”
Scheibler noted the interferences are coming from a mix of community members and students. Another example he gave the SGA was the standoff on Eighth Street that happened last month, a situation he was “a little frustrated” with.
“We had Chief Pierce put out a notice to stay out of the area,” he said. “We have this going on, and almost instantly we got people walking up and demanding they be allowed to stand there and across the street.”
Scheibler and Pierce also mentioned they were approached by Vice President for Student Affairs Joey Linn to talk to SGA in the first place.
“I really appreciate the support we’ve gotten from Student Affairs and the president,” Pierce said. “They’ve been very, very vocal in that they’re not gonna tolerate that type of behavior.”
According to Scheibler, the prosecutor’s office has raised fines for assault and added interference to the bond schedule. A few solutions were suggested by senators, including having the police departments speak to freshmen seminar classes.
While Scheibler said that this has been a particularly bad year for civilian interferences, both he and Pierce acknowledged that not all Fort Hays students are contributing to the problem.
“Please know that we recognize that Fort Hays State university and its students are an important part of our community,” Scheibler said. “We recognize that the Hays Police Department is here for you and not because of you. I think those are two very different things. We’re here to keep you safe.”
Afterwards, a large amount of time during the meeting’s open forum was used to discuss an $80,000 federal grant the university was given to combat student hunger. According to SGA President Ryan Stanley, the grant can also be used to provide hygiene products.
Stanley reported he met with several people from the Health and Wellness Center, who were willing to hear his and the executive staff’s ideas for how to spend the money. The money has to be spent by June 1.
The one main idea discussed was using the money to keep the Tiger Food Exchange well-stocked. The food exchange is housed in Forsyth Library, but will be moved to the Memorial Union and rebranded. Part of the rebranding will focus on eliminating any stigma surrounding using the food exchange.
“We want to change the name so it’s not Tiger Food Exchange,” said SGA Director of Communications Jayden Siebert. “It’s almost like (student)] walk in and they’re embarrassed, which students should never be embarrassed to take free food.
“With the relocation and rebranding, (Community Relations Director Emma Day) and I are gonna start marketing it. We’re going to create an Instagram and Facebook, and we’re going to try to get a webpage on the FHSU website, because it’s for all students, not (just one) demographic.”
As for new business, two resolutions were up for first reading. The first, originated by Legislative Affairs Director Ella Burrows, calls for at least one gender-neutral bathroom in each campus building. The second, originated by Burrows and Siebert, calls for the addition of international students to SGA.
The next SGA meeting will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 17 in the Black and Gold Room of the Memorial Union.