Weapons, drugs seized at foam party
By Melissa Ray
Arts Editor
September 12, 2007
 Safety has always been a hot button issue on the University of Windsor campus and for good reason; at times, with a student population numbering in the thousands, there is a large potential for trouble. However, when there is proper planning and precautionary measures taken this large potential for trouble can me minimized.
On September 5, the UWSA were able to downplay potential threats during the Welcome Week foam party held in the CAW Centre, when they opted to hire additional security for the late night event.
In a series of recent interviews with The Lance, Burden of Proof security founder, Tom Gagovski and Director of Community Campus Police, Bob Cowper, comment on the various drugs and weapons confiscated from students and non-students who sought admission to the event.
When asked how he approached searching students, Cowper explained how important it is that the Campus Police work alongside security companies such as Burden of Proof, stating that, “we are all working together.”
Cowper went on to clarify that the role of campus police is the role of peace officer.
"We are seeing more outside public attending our functions. The aim of the students association is to have everyone attending to feel safe and if they accomplish that, great.”
Although security that extends beyond Campus Police is not required by the University, the items confiscated during the foam party event may prove that some UWSA events may require extra attention.
When The Lance inquired into the many weapons and drugs, rumored to have been removed from a number of students and non-students, Gagovski estimated that over 25 knives were found, 3 pair of box cutters, a weapon that he describes as the "weapon of choice in Toronto," where Burden of Proof is stationed and approximately $2,000 worth of marijuana.
In order to prevent a bad situation Gagovski and his security team like to take what he calls a proactive approach, that is- "stop it at the door."
"Were thorough student searches necessary? Most definitely," he says with hesitation, "especially the ones under the influence. If we don't search as effectively as we did, there's always a potential for problems." In the end, an additional 200 students and non-students were turned away at the door for being either drunk or high.
During his 16 years at Burden of Proof, Gagovski says that he has noticed a definite increase in the amount of drugs and weapons found at events such as this one. “I was shocked this year,” he offers, “in the past it’s been there, but not as much. They try to hide it,” he laughs, “but they don’t realize that we know where they put it.” Gagovski goes on to add that the number of intoxicated patrons turned away at the door has also significantly increased in resent years, not just in Windsor but also perhaps across the province.
When asked what happened to the patrons who were found to be carrying a weapon or narcotic, Gagovski explains that they were immediately turned over to the police. Over the course of the evening, however, only one arrest was made. A patron who was later discovered to be a non-student overpowered one of the police officers and was then brought down by Gagovski, who like the rest of his security team is proficient in self-defense. Cowper has confirmed that the non-student “was arrested under trespassing and resisted arrest. And now it’s a matter for the courts.”
As a result of collective efforts the foam party can be declared a success. Aside from the altercation that occurred between the police officer and the non-student during the mandatory searches, there were no other fights. While question has been raised as to whether or not additional security is needed at events such as the Sept. 5 event, recent student activities suggest it is.
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