Council in 'welcome warning' to students
Belfast City Council's webpages for students haven't exactly extended the warmest of welcomes, instead warning of the consequences of disrespecting neighbours with anti-social behaviour.
Wednesday, 19 September 2012
Concerns have previously arisen over noise and on-street drinking, particularly in the areas where student housing has become prevalent - such as the University and Holyland areas of south Belfast.
Now the city council is pulling no punches with its message to new or returning students.
"Students should be mindful of the consequences of their actions," the webpage warns, before going on to list the maximum fines for each type of bad behaviour.
Decide to have a house party and excessive noise could land you a fine of up to £5,000.
And if the drinking spills out onto the street, that could be another £500. Drop the beer bottles - even in your own garden - and that's at least £80 for littering, with the fines rising accordingly.
Plus any prosecutions mean a criminal record, potentially sending hopes of that future high-flying job or gap year abroad right down the tube.
"No one wants to put a dampener on student life," the council says.
"But, as responsible adults, there are measures we can take to respect others around us - as well as safeguarding any future personal career and travel prospects."
The student section of the website also has a page on 'Your Studies' - warning you could be booted off your course and out of university for unacceptable behaviour.
A section on 'Your Community' warns that not everyone is a student and that annoying your neighbours with loud music is a sure way to swiftly get your decks, sound system, CDs, etc, seized.
While the approach may seem heavy-handed to students, the council is simply making sure new residents know what could happen if they don't respect the local community.
Under the Clean Neighbourhoods Act, the council now has more powers to deal with issues in problem areas - and it fully intends to use them.
Welcome to student life.