Earlier this month the State College Borough Council met for a work session to brainstorm for ideas on riot prevention in light of the 1998 and 2000 riots.

One of the council's suggestions was to send letters of notification to the parents of rioters. This is a bad idea not only because it sets a Gestapo-esque precedent, but also because these rioters are adults, who should have taken responsibility for themselves. The rioters arguably should have used better judgment in their actions, but informing their parents simply serves to perpetuate an atmosphere in which students are not held responsible for their conduct, but rather treated like overgrown children.

Another of the recommendations was that the number of hours businesses serving food through take-out windows be limited because of the late-night crowd that often congregates outside of Acme Pizza on Beaver Avenue, which was called the "epicenter" of the riots by Mayor Bill Welch.

To penalize a local business by limiting their hours of operation would be a low blow on the part of Borough Council and would ultimately be a negative move. A more positive approach to take would be to encourage other downtown eateries to stay open later to draw people off the streets and into a sit-down restaurant.

This is a win-win proposition for everyone — businesses like the Daily Grind, Saints Café and Irvings could potentially bring in considerably more revenue, students who were not drinking would have a place to congregate outside of the bars, and students who were drinking could take some time out in between bar stops or after the bars close.

Another of the propositions put forward by council members was to allow the bars to stay open after their 2:30 a.m. state-imposed curfew.

This might work to curb the closing hour rush that can induce riot conditions, but because the bars would not be allowed to serve alcohol or have entertainment past 2:30, it is unlikely many patrons would simply hang around and attempt to sober up.

A better solution for the bars would be to work to maintain stricter standards about serving patrons who are intoxicated or in danger of becoming so.

It is understandable that bars welcome the increased revenues that flow through during the Arts Festival, but in the interests of the State College borough as a whole, they should take extra caution during the festival and other big "party weekends" when large crowds are drinking downtown.

Borough Council seems to be more interested in policing unruly students than creating a positive atmosphere for recreation.

Perhaps the the festival committee should consider sponsoring more events later in the night so alcohol does not have to be relied upon so much for continuing the festivities.