Gonzaga, Spokane Police Increase Security for National Championship Game
University security officials are anticipating large crowds to form on campus following the game.
A couch was burned on Gonzaga University's campus after the basketball team's win Saturday.
Gonzaga University police and Spokane police (Wash.) are increasing security measures around campus for the NCAA men’s basketball national championship game tonight.
A Gonzaga spokesperson said security will be stepped up during and after the game in case celebrations turn violent, reports krem.com.
The Spokane Police Department is also preparing for the game’s aftermath and Spokane fire officials are reminding the community not to burn anything.
Images of a couch set on fire on Gonzaga’s campus circulated the internet Saturday following the basketball team’s win over the University of South Carolina in the Final Four game of the tournament.
Spokane Fire District 8 announced the incident was arson and said unauthorized or reckless burning is a misdemeanor and can lead to a $513 fine.
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The Gonzaga Campus Security & Public Safety Department will also be increasing patrols. The university announced in September that campus security would be stepped up for all events.
The department released a list of best practices for staying safe during large social gatherings in a blog post. That list is below:
- Know your alcohol limit & plan ahead
- Eat food before and while you drink.
- Sip your drink (slow down).
- Skip a drink now and then and substitute with non-alcoholic drink (another great tip is to have a glass of water with your drink, and sip on that between sips of your drink).
- Beware of unfamiliar drinks.
- Appoint a designated driver.
- Respect the rights of individuals who do not wish to drink.
- Keep track of how many drinks you are consuming.
- Space your drinks.
- Drink for quality vs. quantity.
- Avoid drinking games.
- Plan ahead for transportation – don’t drink and drive!
- Never accept a drink from someone you don’t know.
- When ordering a drink at the bar, watch the bartender make your drink so you can know how much alcohol you will be having.
- Alcohol and sex do not mix – drunken sex is not consensual sex.
- Careful what you combine, most drugs and alcohol do not mix well. Be sure to read all warning labels.
- Try using a student safety phone app such as BACcards, which contains information to Gonzaga’s Center for Cura Personalis.
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