Do the police at JMU harass students (especially freshmen)?

<p>I was thinking about applying and if accepted going to JMU. However, based on what I've read on **************, after the Springfest 2010 incident the college police have been on a moral crusade of sorts to end underage drinking. It seemed as if the cops actively hunt for intoxicated students minding their own business trying to get home (not just annihilated ones, also those having alcohol in their system). Inevitably drinking is part of the college experience and I don't feel like being hunted down like an animal. I was wondering if any JMU students could let me know how aggressive the cops are on campus. Thanks.</p>

<p>the censored word was college *******</p>

<p>Yes, JMU students are “hunted down” in Harrisonburg. Police bike down the streets at night looking for students leaving parties. They are given citations for under age drinking without being tested for alcohol consumption, handcuffed roughly and also charged with littering if they drop a cup in the confusion.
The city profits from the need for court employees, local lawyers and the inevitable required VSAP classes, not to mention the unpaid employees they use by requiring “community service”. (the standard requirement is 50 hrs)
Now with a popular basketball star being arrested for drinking in public it will be interesting to see how that situation plays out. I doubt he would have been arrested if they knew how important he was to the local college team.
For more information on this situation check out the blog from CHammy on 1-17-2010. This is obviously ongoing.</p>