First respondersMayor suggests student fee to hire more police, firefighters for local college’s sporting events

Morgantown, West Virginia mayor Jim Manilla wants to hire more police officers and firefighters to deal with street fires, riots, and other incidents following West Virginia University sporting events, and he wants the students to pay for it.

The Republic reports that Manilla has told several media outlets that he is considering asking the university to charge each student a $20 student impact fee. The fee would generate $1.2 million in revenue for the city annually. “This is public safety,” Manilla told the Republic. “They (WVU) need to pay their fair share.”

Earlier this month almost forty street and trash container fires were set Saturday night and Sunday morning after the Mountaineers football team defeated the Texas Longhorns 48-45. Five people were charged with malicious burning according to the Morgantown Fire Department. Ten other people were arrested on charges ranging from battery on an officer to public drunkenness and other alcohol related offenses.

University president Jim Clements promised to take “a very hard line” on “disgraceful and shameful behavior” in his State of the Union address on 8 October.

“I am angry and I am frustrated at the behavior of some of our students and others after the game,” Clements said in his address. “The worst of the post-game behavior Saturday night was unacceptable, dangerous and inexcusable. We cannot and will not tolerate it.”

The Office of Student affairs has suspended or expelled forty students before the first weekend of October according to Clements.

University officials will review videotapes and any student identified breaking the law will face civil and school penalties, which could include suspension or expulsion Ken Grey, vice president of student affairs said. “We will continue to seek ways to stop this kind of behavior including through education, communication and cooperation.”  Grey told the Republic.

On 30 September, a street fire was set following a football game against Baylor University. The fire destroyed three vehicles and damaged a house.

Manilla planned to meet with police and fire officials this week as well as the city manager this week to discuss the incidents. “Whatever good has been done in the past has been all wiped out,” Manilla said. “We’re getting close to an injury or loss of life. I know we need more police officers, it’s pretty obvious at this point.”