Arizona is commonly considered a boring state (more often than it is labeled as one with many nationally renowned attractions). This does not mean that Arizonans and ASU students are boring. Parties, bars, clubs, or general illegal behavior are present around ASU, as they are around most universities across the nation. Underage alcohol consumption, drug use, vandalism, or any other crime that could possibly take place around ASU are illegal and unethical, no matter how much “fun” they bring to the criminal. With Mill Avenue and frat parties, it comes as no surprise that these are, unfortunately, common methods for fun at ASU on weekends for a lot of students.
In a college environment, where there are thousands of students (“more than 51,000” at the ASU Tempe campus (“ASU’s Tempe Campus”, Arizona State University)] looking for cheap entertainment, a police force must be stationed near campus so that response to crimes can be as prompt as possible. The Tempe Police Station is located on Fifth Street within the property line of Arizona State University, but it is affiliated with the city of Tempe. The police station is very close to Mill Avenue, and officers riding trained horses can be seen on Mill Ave. during times when the street is busy with people coming out of or going to bars, clubs, restaurants, etc. However, Tempe police cars are a common sight in and around campus. The familiar sight of the black and white Chevy Impala Tempe Police cars is a constant reminder for students that they will always receive punctual response to any crime report.
But it is the police station on Fifth Street that provides the most assurance. The fact that it is actually on campus is not only beneficial to students and people who live near ASU because it allows police officers to arrive at and find sights of illegal activity, but because it acts as a reminder to those who see the police station to behave civilized and to find legal ways to have fun despite all opportunities to do the opposite. The beneficial features of the police and the police station makes it fit right in on Fifth Street