Edited First News Story

Sommer Hughes

September 13, 2011

MIP’s

Word Count: 437

Being ranked no. 3 party school in the country, Ole Miss has many students who pay to uphold that title. The bars on the Square always bring in a big crowd of students 21 and older and the younger. Over the years the Square has lured underage students to drink, have a good time, and then, get caught and written up for a Minor In Possession which is also known as an MIP.

According to police officer Tony Webb of the Oxford Police Department, there were many MIP’s given out during the first weekend back.

“It’s hard to tell a huge difference between the amount of MIP’s given in this year and the amount given last year,” said Webb.

Webb, who has worked as a police officer in Oxford for 23 years said he is used to the commotion that the first fall weekend at school brings. A few people were arrested for MIP’s, while others had a ticket written up.

“ We never normally arrest anyone for MIP’s unless they are causing a scene or fighting back to the officer writing them up,” said Webb.

Deputy sheriff David Box who has been an officer in Oxford for 14 years said MIP’s are increasing because each year more students are pouring in. This school year has a breaking record for Ole Miss with the pouring in of 4763 freshman students, which means more people to be on the lookout for on the square.

It is not only a police officers job to monitor this sort of matter. Bouncers at bars play a big part in whether an underage person gets in. Bouncer Daniel Harber has had quite the job these past few weeks.

“Through the week I don’t turn down near as many as you’d think,” he said

Being a bouncer has risks that might get them in trouble.

“The police can take me to jail for letting people in who don’t have real ID’s,” Harber said.

“I can’t help out my underage friends when the ABC is in town,” Harber said.

“Those guys are serious about keeping underage kids sober and busting bouncers and bartenders in any way they can.” Harber said.

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Daniel Harber, 662-423-8277, idharber@olemiss.edu

David Box, 662-234-6421

Tony Webb, 662-232-2400