Since the beginning of the semester Campus Police officers have been using random license checks nearly nightly in hopes of reducing crime on campus, Campus Police Capt. Jon Barnwell said.

Barnwell said the purpose of the checks is not to scare or intimidate students driving on campus or make people feel like Campus Police is out to get them. “It’s not something we’re doing to try and catch students to get them in trouble for doing something wrong,” Barnwell said. “The main purpose of having checkpoints is to keep the student community safe.”

The checks, which have been taking place almost every night, are something Barnwell said officers can do once calls slow down in the early evening.

Barnwell said Campus Police has noticed a marked decrease in car vandalisms since the checkpoints were started in August. “It has been a great deterrent that has helped protect property on campus,” he said.

Michael Clayton, a junior in environmental engineering, said the impact the checks could have on potential thieves is worth the hassle placed on students driving through campus.

“If people are getting their license’s checked when they come on campus they will probably be less likely to break into cars,” he said. “Anytime you have an increase in police presence you’re going to have a decrease in obvious criminal activity.”

Barnwell also said Campus Police receives increased funding from N.C. that helps them better protect the community. “We generate points through the Governor’s Highway Safety Program for periodic checkpoints and different things we do,” he said. “The funding through this program helps Campus Police get radar detectors and smart trailers.”

The checks also helped curb alcohol violations; something which Barnwell said was an unintended impact of the program.

Elizabeth Mayton, a freshman in English, said she thinks the purpose of the checks is to try and catch students drinking and driving. “It’s obvious Campus Police is doing the checks to try and catch people drinking and driving,” she said. “It’s a good idea because I hate the thought of it being unsafe to drive because of somebody else’s stupidity.”

Barnwell said the impact on drinking and driving is a positive, though unintended, impact of the program.

“We do it for the safety of the students and if there is a reduction in drinking and driving then that is definitely a positive as well,” he said.

Barnwell also said he is proud to have seen several students acting as designated drivers for intoxicated friends. “One thing I have noticed is that there is an abundance of students being designated drivers for friends,” he said. “At least people under the influence aren’t behind the wheel driving. I have to applaud our students for doing the right thing.”

Callie Kirsch, a freshman in elementary education, said the checks are a definite positive regardless of Campus Police’s intent. “I don’t necessarily believe it could keep people from breaking into cars as much as they do,” she said. “But it does make me feel somewhat safer.”

Mayton agreed and said students should not have to worry about peers drinking and driving on campus.

“I shouldn’t be fearful because of someone else’s ignorance,” she said of drunk drivers. “If the checkpoints can help, then I’m all for them.”