Arrested development

If you see Public Safety coming after you with handcuffs, you may feel a sense of impending doom.

But on April 22, students, faculty and staff will be letting Public Safety cuff them for a good cause: The Second annual Jail ‘N Bail to benefit Special Olympics Connecticut.

Businesses from all over the state, as well as several local police departments, will be helping to make this year’s event even bigger than last year.

Students can expect some changes to the event, like a section on the arrest warrant that allows you to explain the charges against the person being arrested. If a student has been dying to get some revenge on a certain Giants fan because he’s still upset that the Patriots lost Super Bowl XLII, this is his opportunity.

The event, organized and run by the Department of Public Safety and a committee of students, was voted the number one activity on campus by last year’s graduating class.

‘I’ have’ never’ seen’ so’ many’ administrators,’ faculty,’ and’ staff’ engaging’ with’ students’ at’ one time,’ said Jail ‘N Bail committee member, Erin Shea of last year’s Jail ‘N Bail. ‘It was really nice to see the entire campus come together for one event.’

Last year’s event raised over $21,000 for Special Olympics, an organization that depends on donations to run athletic programs for people with intellectual disabilities.’

‘A’ smile’ on’ the’ face’ of’ an’ athlete’ is worth’ more’ than’ money’ can’ buy,’ said Public Safety officer, Sgt. Robert Didato.

But, raising money is not the only goal of the event. Awareness of the organization and its athletes is even more important, according to Didato.

Special Olympics serves nearly 200 million people in 180 countries every day.
The organization provides sports training and competition opportunities, giving everyone the opportunity to participate in sports.

Special Olympics mission is ‘to create a more accepting and inclusive world for everyone.’

The event will be held in the traffic circle outside the Barone Campus Center from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

‘It’ was’ nice to’ interact’ with’ students’ in’ such’ a’ positive’ atmosphere,’ said Sergeant Didato of last year’s event.

Senior Karla Carpenter, among other students, is looking forward to getting ‘arrested’ again this year.

‘Jail ‘N Bail 2008 was not only a lot of fun, but it was also a great way to publicize an organization that you doesn’t get a lot of attention on campus,’ said Carpenter. ‘This is the only time my parents would be happy to bail me out of jail.’

Starting in the next couple of weeks, students, faculty and staff will be able to buy warrants for $5 and receive a free Jail ‘N Bail T-shirt.

Warrants will be sold in the BCC and at the Department of Public Safety in Loyola.