Alcohol Found in Student’s Suite at Local Apartments

By

Justin Ecung

Last Tuesday, Jason Washington, a tenant at a local apartment complex in Logan, Utah, was found to have several bottles of alcohol in his apartment. 

Although Washington is over the age of 21, he still came under the scrutiny of both the apartment manager and the owner because alcohol is not allowed in the apartment complex. Consequently, the Texas native now must face a review board and explain why he should not be forced to leave the apartment complex for violating the alcohol policy.

            “I swear this doesn’t make any sense at all,” Washington said Saturday afternoon. “It’s not like I broke the law, gave alcohol to minors or was being really loud and obnoxious. Apparently one of my roommates saw a few bottles of alcohol in my room and felt the need to tell the apartment manager.”

            The apartment complex has a very strict policy on alcohol and other controlled substances. A list of guidelines is listed on each refrigerator and clearly states that there will be no consumption of alcohol, smoking or drugs on the property.

            “There are rules in place for a reason. We need to protect the property and make sure nothing is damaged as well as keep in mind the fact that we rent to mostly students. Therefore, we need to help promote a healthy student environment for them and we simply can’t do that if there are wild parties going on, and people being loud and drinking,” Micah Allen, the apartment manger, said.

            Apartment staff members were alerted when one of Washington’s roommates saw several bottles of alcohol in his room one evening. Washington was getting ready to meet with some friends to go to a party when he remembered to take the trash out. The college senior then left the room temporarily and forgot to close the door. His roommate saw the bottles and called Allen the following morning.

            There are mixed feelings amongst other residents in the apartment complex as to whether or not the apartment owners are taking the correct actions. While some individuals feel that Washington should be forced to leave for not following the alcohol policy, others feel that the punishment doesn’t exactly fit the crime.

            “It’s kind of funny how there are all these problems over a few bottles of alcohol,” Steven Williams, another resident, said. “He didn’t break the law, but he might have to leave the apartments because he violated the drinking policy. If anything, they should just make him help out with upkeep around the apartment and just make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

            However, other tenants, the majority of whom are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, believe the punishment fits the crime.

            “Drinking is dangerous. There can’t be a ton of drunk people running around the apartment, making noise. Washington knew the rules and he chose not to follow them. On the rental agreement that all of us had to sign before we moved in I’m pretty sure it states that we will not have alcohol on the grounds of the apartment. There’s also a paper placed on all of our refrigerators that serves as a reminder that we can’t drink or smoke in our apartments. He had to have known the rules and he chose to break them.” Jessica Parks, another tenant, said.

            Washington is meeting with Michael Thompson, one of the owners of the property to discuss the incident. Although both individuals feel that it is a minor issue, it still needs to be discussed.

            “With this being Washington’s first offense we most likely will not ask him to vacate the property due to a breach of the rental agreement he signed over the summer. We understand that the majority of the tenants we rent to are college students, but the rules are in place for a reason: to protect myself as an owner and those living in the apartments,” Thompson said.

            Although disciplinary actions most likely won’t be taken, Washington has learned from this ordeal.

            “I understand that the rules are there for our safety, but I might not necessarily agree with them. Regardless, while living here I know I have to follow all the rules and guidelines set in place by the owners,” Washington said.