University of Virginia Library

City Police Arrest
Beta Bridge Artists

By Philip Kimball
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Five University students were arrested
by Charlottesville police early Sunday
morning for painting Beta Bridge.

The five first-year men, all members of
the Pi Lambda Phi fraternity, were
arrested for "disorderly conduct" and
were released on fifty dollars bail.

Joel Fivis, one of the arrested
students, described the incident. "Fifteen
members of the house," he said, "had just
finished painting the bridge purple and gold
when a University police car pulled up followed
immediately by a city patrol car."

"Everyone scattered," continued Mr. Fivis,
"except for two boys who were painting a post.
They were unable to run because the boy who
was painting was on the other boy's shoulders."

Mr. Fivis also said that "a University
policeman chased after me as I ran toward the
Wesleyan church. He caught me as I tripped and
fell down a small embankment between the
church and the Prism Coffee House."

"University police helped city patrolmen
take us down to the Charlottesville police

station where we were booked. They didn't
frisk us but did however ask for our student ID
cards," Mr. Fivis continued.

"All five of us had to wait in the police
station until about 4 a.m." stated Mr. Fivis. "A
justice of the peace had to come down to the
station to sign warrants for our arrest."

When contacted about the incident, Rea G.
Houchens, Chief of the Security Department.
said that "absolutely no University police were
involved."

Tod Rodman, Vice President of the Pi
Lambda Phi fraternity, said that two of the five
students arrested were juveniles and were
subject to a separate law than the other three,
who are now scheduled to appear before court
tomorrow morning.

He continued to state that "there seems to
be a drift back to law and order in
Charlottesville."

While D. Alan Williams, Vice President of
Student Affairs, had no statement on this
particular incident, he did state that "if a
student creates trouble in town he is on his
own. We do, however, inquire into any case
where a student is involved."

"In cases like this," Mr. Williams continued,
"usually some small fine is imposed and some
type of work job is given to the boys involved."