Be safe while celebrating in green: A safety message from Binghamton University
The official start to spring is right around the corner and so is the return of St. Patrick's Day events. The Binghamton area has a proud Irish heritage and every year downtown becomes a sea of green amid all the festivities. Over the years, these events have been enjoyed by thousands of Binghamton University students who proudly dress in green and enjoy the parades, Irish food and dance, and all of the related celebratory events.
On behalf of the University Police, Dean of Students Office and City of Binghamton, we ask all Binghamton University students to enjoy these activities, but to make good choices and stay safe while celebrating.
This year, there will be no outdoor alcohol consumption permitted on State Street during Parade Day, so while the street will be closed to traffic, Binghamton Police will be enforcing open container laws as well as laws like disorderly conduct and public intoxication.
If you choose to drink alcohol while celebrating, do so responsibly. Intoxication inevitably leads to bad choices and impaired judgment. Know your own limits. Eat a good meal before you head downtown and stay hydrated. Avoid binge drinking and drinking games. Consuming a lot of alcohol in a short time leads to intoxication, and this can quickly escalate to being a medical emergency requiring hospitalization. It’s critical to pace yourself and avoid drinking all day and night. Take breaks and give your body time to process the alcohol.
Other safety tips:
- Never leave a drink unattended and never accept a drink from someone you don’t know.
- At house parties, avoid drinking from open containers with unknown amounts and types of alcohol.
- Go at your own pace and avoid drinking shots of liquor.
- Never drive a vehicle after consuming alcohol and never get into a vehicle with an intoxicated driver.
- Travel in pairs or groups. There is safety in numbers.
- Stay in well-lit areas and on streets where there are a lot of people.
- When walking, walk with a purpose.
- When going out at night, have a plan. Talk to your friends about what to do if you get separated and think about your transportation needs ahead of time.
- Charge your phone.
- If a friend becomes intoxicated or ill, call for help and stay with your friend until help arrives.
- Your well-being and the safety of your friends is a shared responsibility. If you see something happening, summon help immediately and intervene if you can do so safely.
These same rules apply for anyone using illegal drugs that can cause impairment and cloud judgment.
Always remember that when you are out in the community, your behavior can reflect positively or negatively on both the University and yourself. How you and the University are perceived by community members is up to you. Remember, these are community events and there will be families and children present. You can have a good time and still be a good role model. That's what Bearcats do!
Randall M-J Edouard
Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
John Pelletier
Binghamton University Chief of Police
Joseph Zikuski
City of Binghamton Chief of Police