Possession results in three evictions from U. Village

The University Village, which houses upperclassmen and graduates, recently enforced its zero tolerance policy by evicting three students found in possession of narcotics. According to the Laredo Morning Times, one of the students caught with drugs last semester was an athlete.Resident TAMIU Police Department Lieutenant Romy Garza and Village Housing Manager Trevor Liddle were first alerted by an anonymous tip.Details of the arrest remain confidential, due to the ongoing investigation. The Laredo Morning Times reported last month that two students were arrested on December 11-12 due to possession of less than three ounces of marijuana.”This on-campus community is now a safer place because campus police and housing management work closely together to ensure that all suspicious activity is investigated,” said Garza.After the arrest, Village residents expressed their relief.”I’m glad that Lieutenant Garza is a resident of the complex; it enforces the fact that there is a readily available police presence,” remarked one complex student.Others living at the Village shared the same sentiment.”I live here with my family,” said another resident, “so it makes me feel better that both the police and management quickly and quietly removed this kind of element from the complex.”Campus police urges the university community to report any criminal activity and those caught will have to suffer the consequences.”There are a range of academic repercussions and legal action that could happen,” said Steve Harmon, director of the office of Public Relations, Marketing, and Information Services, to the Laredo Morning Times.The University Police’s Crime Awareness and Campus Safety 2006 handbook states, “the unlawful manufacture, distribution, possession or use of illicit drugs or alcohol is strictly prohibited on System property…[and] sanctions (consistent with local, State, and federal law) will be imposed on students and employees for violation of this policy.”If you suspect illegal activity is occurring on campus, contact the TAMIU police at 326-2100 or call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 726-2827. Callers may remain anonymous.