Double standard protects white college students

To the editor,

The writer of the article about late night noise from Manhattan College students seemed not to understand that of many of us are suffering from sleepless nights (“Neighbors to Manhattan College students: shut up!” Feb. 25).  

If the police would enforce the laws by issuing summons for disorderly conduct, open bottle laws, underage drinking and destruction of property, the students would most likely begin understanding that they need to change their behavior. 

In this case, the police wouldn’t hear from us as much and they could attend to more serious crimes. 

It would also be great if Manhattan College was actively interested and involved in stemming binge drinking as are many other colleges in the US.

For anyone unfamiliar with the New York Penal Code, this is what it states:

“The New York Penal Code prohibits the following forms of disorderly conduct: fighting or engaging in violent or threatening behavior; making “unreasonable noise”; using obscene language or making obscene gestures in public places; disturbing any lawful assembly or gathering without lawful authority; obstructing vehicular or pedestrian traffic; congregating with others in a public place and refusing to comply with lawful dispersal orders; and creating “hazardous or physically offensive” conditions by an act serving no legitimate purpose.”

It’s my personal belief that these mostly white college students are being treated very differently than if this same behavior was perpetrated by people of color.

Kevin King