Build on tailgating lessons

By The Gazette Editorial Board

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The University of Iowa's crackdown on alcohol-fueled tailgating behavior this football season stirred up fans and more than doubled the number of citations from recent years. But did it do any good?

Some anecdotal feedback indicates improvement in behavior. University police officials say they've seen definite changes, citing more fan cooperation and a general decline in citations as the season unfolded.

But measuring behavior accurately is a difficult thing. And one season's worth of stepped-up enforcement does not necessarily produce a lasting sea change in the way thousands of festive fans interact. Weather and what's at stake in a given game matchup vary week by week and likely play a role, too.

What's most important is not the final number of citations. It's what UI officials learned and how they plan to build on those lessons next season and beyond.

Since the UI implemented its “Think Before You Drink” initiative before the first home game, nearly two-thirds of the citations issued have been for carrying an open container on public streets and sidewalks and public urination. In the two previous years, there were no citations for open container and just two for public urination.

While those violations obviously were a major focus, the UI made policy adjustments after the first game when many upset fans said the stepped-up enforcement policy was draconian. At least UI officials got their attention.

Adjusting wisely without caving in is the key. The UI's tailgating reputation had grown in both positive and negative ways over the past decade or longer. Discouraging and punishing behavior that was a threat to the health and safety of other fans became a priority.

The trick is to encourage responsible behavior without destroying the best parts of the tailgating experience that so many Iowa fans treasure.