Nine Georgia State University students were detained by undercover cops at what many call the ‘smircle’ at Library Plaza. Two students were given citations for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana, and another was arrested for outstanding warrants.
An incident report states an undercover officer noticed a student preparing a white cigarette paper with marijuana. The observation was reported to another officer also patrolling the area. One person was put into handcuffs for outstanding warrants in Cobb County. They are not a Georgia State student.
Brian Lawton, a GSU PD Major, said the charges were justified.
“Just imagine if we issued warnings and let things slide, especially in the area of that location. It’s not fair to the faculty, it’s not fair to other students, so a copy of charge is very lenient,” Lawton said. “But it gives that message that you can’t come onto our campus and do drugs anytime you feel like it.”
One of the students detained said officers made a scene of the incident. To respect the privacy of the students, Panther Report News will not reveal their names.
“He kinda just wanted to make a scene and wanted to make like an example of me, really for show,” the student said.
The student also says an officer called him a criminal.
“This guy comes up and starts going on and calling me a criminal,” he said.
Major Lawton said during training, officers are informed to refrain from using certain words.
“Our goal is not to make accusations without proof. Our goal is to go ahead and to enforce the law where necessary,” Lawton said. “And we express to the officers that you have to refrain from certain languages.”
One student who did not want to show her face said officers were not well trained for approaching students with mental illnesses.
“They were not well equipped to deal with people with anxiety disorders. They were not well equipped to deal with people who had issues communicating. Maybe people who had problems projecting their voice. They would attack us for things that sincerely people can’t help,” the student said.
When informed, Major Lawton said the majority of the Georgia State Police Department had undergone Crisis Intervention Training.
“Well, we have, I believe almost 80 percent of our police department trained in Crisis Intervention. So, we have adequate staff that can deal with this process,” Lawton said.
Six days after, another incident report shows two students in the area also charged for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. Major Lawton says if students are not doing anything wrong, they should not worry.
In Atlanta, possession of less than an ounce of marijuana is decriminalized, so the students charged would only face a 75 dollar fine.
Note: This story was written for PRN, the student-led news station at Georgia State University.
