Photo by Jim Davis. Police cruisers from Prince George's County Police Department, Maryland State Police and University of Maryland police stood ready along Baltimore Avenue in College Park as the Terps faced Duke last Wednesday at Comcast Center.

Published on: Thursday, February 02, 2012

By Jim Davis

Several dozen Prince George’s County Police, Maryland State Police cars and University of Maryland Police cars were staged along Baltimore Avenue, parking lots and side streets in College Park last Wednesday night in case students engaged in out-of-control celebrations after the Maryland vs. Duke basketball game at the Comcast Center at the University of Maryland.

“We have been planning for this event for several months,” said College Park City Manager Joseph L. Negro. “We have had meetings with club owners, county and state police and the University of Maryland. We do not need a repeat of two years ago.”

Two years ago, more than 1,500 students took over the intersection of Baltimore Avenue and College Avenue after Maryland beat Duke. Several dozen students overturned cars and set small fires resulting in 27 students being arrested. During that riot, Prince George’s County Police officers were taped beating student Jack McKenna. Two of those officers were indicted last year.

“It took several months to identify the police officers involved in the beating of McKenna,” said Julie Parker, Prince George’s County

Police Department spokesperson. “This year, police will have numbers on the front and back of their helmets to identify them. The hope is always that we end the night with a bunch of bored police officers sitting around with nothing to do.”

Last Tuesday, the University of Maryland sent a letter to students reminding them to celebrate with class and dignity and to discourage others from being destructive. After losing to Duke, the night in College Park ended without incident. Just after midnight, police officers were relieved of duty.