Theft. Assault. Armed robbery. Underage drinking. Fund-raising for the Special Olympics?
Many situations can get students in trouble with the law, but the penalty for doing good deeds isn’t usually jail time.
On Wednesday, April 23, however, some students will voluntarily get locked up for “Jail ‘n Bail,” a fund-raiser held by Public Safety to raise money for Special Olympics of Connecticut.
“We think we’re taking fund-raising to a whole new level,” said Public Safety Officer John Ritchie.
For a $5 fee, students can sign a warrant to arrest friends, faculty and staff from the University community.
< a href=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPpSJweNBwA> To see a video of a Canadian Jail ‘n’ Bail, click here
Beginning this week, students can contact Public Safety to sign the warrant for a fellow Stag to be arrested.
On April 23, a Public Safety officer will find the “criminal” sometime between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Once consent is obtained, the “criminal” will be taken to judges who will set bail at a minimum of $40.
The “criminal” will remain in the PVC pipe jail located outside of the BCC until he or she has raised enough money to post bail. Free phones will be provided to allow the “criminal” to ask for help from friends or family in the form of cash, check, credit card or StagBucks.
Both the person who signs the warrant and the person put in jail receive a free T-shirt.
Ritchie said the event was part of a greater effort over the years by the department to support the Connecticut chapter of Special Olympics. Past endeavors include participation in the Torch Run, a worldwide relay, in 1996.
“It’s really fun when you think about it,” said Erin Shea ’10, a member of the committee running the event. “You’re in the middle of class and suddenly Public Safety comes into your class and takes someone.”
Ritchie said he hopes students will get involved because it is a good cause; it is also entertaining, he said, calling it “totally interactive fund-raising.”
“We don’t want you to just walk by and throw a dollar in a bucket,” said Ritchie. “We’re hoping we can make fun out of the event.”
Grant Miller ’10, another committee member, said he thought students would be open to the event because of the spirit of giving at Fairfield.
“We spend so much money on other stuff, why not fund-raise for something helping someone with special needs to enjoy themselves?” said Miller.
Ritchie said that several local companies have donated money, supplies and manpower to the event, including LandmarkPrint, F.W. Webb, who is donating the PVC piping, and Link Mechanical Services, Inc., who is making the arrangements and handling the delivery of the material.
According to Ritchie, the idea for “Jail ‘n Bail” came when Public Safety heard about the success of the event at Southern Connecticut State University.
“We hope people will realize that they’re doing it for somebody else, not for themselves or for the Department of Public Safety,” said Ritchie.
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