April 16, 2008
Police beefing up presence for Purdue Grand Prix weekend
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University police are gearing up for the big weekend on campus by providing extra officers at different events throughout the week.The Purdue Grand Prix and the Purdue Black & Gold spring football game are scheduled for Saturday (April 19), and events such as a concert on Wednesday (April 16) and a concert/carnival on Friday (April 18) also are taking place.
Additonal Purdue police officers will be on duty at several different Grand Prix-related events. West Lafayette and Indiana State excise police will work in cooperation with Purdue's department over the weekend, said Purdue police Capt. John Cox.
"It will be an exciting weekend at Purdue, and we want those who are on campus to have fun. But we want them to do so responsibly, safely and without creating problems for those around them," Cox said. "The weather forecast is for a nice weekend, so we expect a large number of people on campus. We want to help provide for a safe and enjoyable atmosphere."
Cox said excise police will focus on all areas where underage drinking might be taking place.
Purdue's police will have security at many campus events, said Purdue police Lt. Kevin Booker.
"Our main concern is safety," he said. "We'll have some activities going on at the same time on Saturday, and we will have a presence at those events."
This year's 51st annual Purdue Grand Prix, a 160-lap kart race featuring 33 Purdue student drivers, is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday (April 19) on the track north of Ross-Ade Stadium. Pits open to the public from 9-10 a.m., and track seating opens at 10 a.m. Practice is from 10:10-11 a.m., and heat races start at 11:20 a.m. leading up to the main race.
Purdue's Black & Gold spring football game starts at noon Saturday and is preceded by the Family Fun Fest from 9:30-11 a.m. at the Ross-Ade Stadium.
Last year, police agencies working in cooperation, made a total of 142 arrests during Grand Prix weekend.
Writer: Jim Bush, (765) 494-2077, jsbush@purdue.edu
Sources: John Cox, (765) 494-8221, jkcox@purdue.edu
Kevin Booker, (765) 494-8221, klbooker@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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