Pocono News Section

Homecoming Weekend at Bloomsburg University

Homecoming Weekend at Bloomsburg University - Saturday, October 20, 2007 at 9:47PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Saturday, Oct 20, 2007 @09:47pm EST
BLOOMSBURG, COLUMBIA COUNTY - Thousands of students took to the streets of Bloomsburg Saturday to celebrate the local university's homecoming weekend.

With beers and bottles of liquor in hand, students and alumni filled several blocks. They weren't alone though, as an army of both local and state police hit the streets alongside them. The increased police presence is because of last April's Block Party, which ended in riots and damaged property.

"Last year, there was a lot more people running around. The Greek Life Organization did a good job of organizing wristbands to keep people out that didn't belong," Bloomsburg junior Robert Gronowski said.

Not everyone was in favor of the wristbands.

"Its making it a little less fun. Its really hectic. We all had to have these bracelets. Its seems a little unfair that we're all getting punished," Bloomsburg Senior Claire O'Keefe said.

But police say the goal of the new security precautions isn't to punish, but protect, students and keep them safe. Planning for this weekend's homecoming has been underway for months.

"More planning has been performed to make this a safe event to keep the crowds in check, to make sure it's a memorable and safe event," Bloomsburg Police Chief Leo Sokoloski said Saturday afternoon.

Some of the other changes to this years homecoming are food vendors for the very first time, to keep students well fed.

"They just wanted the students to have some wholesome food, so if they're drinking, they wouldn't be as intoxicated," food vendor Mary Kutzer said.

But for some students, they say all the changes are just a big fuss and are not really necessary.

"The police are coming everywhere, asking for IDs. You turn a corner and there's a police officer. I think it's a big waste of taxpayer dollars," Bloomsburg Senior Mike Briley said.

Homecoming festivities will wrap up Sunday morning. So far, police say there have not been any major problems in Bloomsburg.