HUPD Calls for Cambridge Police Reinforcements

The Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) announced yesterday that it is requesting additional police officers from the Cambridge Police Department (CPD) to aid in crowd control outside Mass. Hall in the wake of a Wednesday night rally that nearly spiraled out of control.

One first-year resident of Mass. Hall was allegedly assaulted by a dining hall worker as the student tried to enter his entryway during Wednesday night's rally, and police also received reports of bottles and water balloons being thrown.

"[We are] growing increasingly concerned about the safety and security of the Yard," said HUPD spokesperson Peggy A. McNamara.

HUPD Chief Francis D. "Bud" Riley said earlier this week that he was also concerned about the stress the protest was placing on his officers.

Officers are working double shifts to provide the necessary manpower for the student occupation of Mass. Hall and simultaneously patrol their normal beats. Many officers have been working 85 to 90 hours per week since the protest began nine days ago, often coming in on days off.

"We still need to be dealing with the policing needs of the rest of campus while we have officers here," Riley said.

HUPD is switching to a 12-hour shift for its officers, effective this morning at 8 a.m., to try and alleviate the growing fatigue among officers.

Also beginning this morning, uniformed Cambridge police officers will begin helping HUPD units with crowd control near Mass. Hall. The move is one of the first to bring CPD officers into the Yard in official capacity since the 1969 student takeover of University Hall, when police officers in riot gear forcibly removed student protesters from the building.

However today's move is not CPD's first introduction to the PSLM protest. Plainclothes CPD officers were present in the Yard yesterday in an observer role, and more than 20 officers responded to Wednesday night's rally when it spilled out in Mass. Ave.

The sit-in has already cost HUPD tens of thousands of dollars in overtime for officers.

-Staff writer Garrett M. Graff can be reached at ggraff@fas.harvard.edu.