To the Editor:
In response to Tom Crory's letter on Tubestock ("Tubestock founded by 'outsiders,' " August 3), I never said that Tubestock is a recognized Dartmouth event or function. Quite the opposite, I'm happy to state. As far as choosing my words more carefully, I am a local and I have some recollection of a few of those college events you referenced. I did remark that since its inception in 1987 it has grown in numbers and attracts many people from distances well beyond the local area. Some arrive as early as Thursday and Friday. Because of this, it has impacted many agencies in the area including Safety and Security, Hanover Police, Norwich Police, Marine Patrol, Fish & Game and the Ledyard Canoe Club. As you know the primary role and responsibility of these agencies is for the safety of people first and protection of property last.
A good example of how this event impacts the College and the community is the efforts of the Ledyard Canoe Club. They close their facility to avoid any connection with the event for liability reasons, and as a result they suffer revenue loss for the entire day. They also shut down the swim dock for the day which means without lifeguards on duty, swimming is not permitted. The day after finds members of the Ledyard Canoe Club cleaning up the river front as far south as Wilder Dam to collect beer bottles, plastic bottles, cups, cans, and other debris that's left from this gathering. They also have to remove the many makeshift rafts, litter and other flotation devices that end up at the docks and waterfront area. This is an expense they absorb. It's time consuming and done as a public service at no cost to the Tubestock planners. Another example is the cost for security coverage on College property to protect people from injury and to enforce the alcohol policy.
The bottom line, first and foremost, remains personal safety of people and that's what is needed at this event. There is no process I'm aware of to stop those under the influence before entering the water or after they are floating, splashing and laughing.
Last year at least 20 people were taken off the water so intoxicated most had difficulty walking when they reached the shoreline. They were on the water in that intoxicated condition for some time, without benefit of anyone watching over them or caring for them, to the best of my knowledge. Granted, many come to enjoy the day, but others do not. They are verbally abusive, shout profanity at passersby in vehicles, they urinate in public, and litter the river and roadways.
Again, I reiterate, safety of people must come first. I suggest that those responsible for this gathering develop a plan for the coming year(s) that provides some measure of safety and protection for the many at risk, and hopefully prevent a tragedy from happening.
