Boston police urge students to be safe this spring break, secure housing, and watch for signs of drink spiking
He also encouraged students to take their electronic devices and other valuable possessions home with them.
'If you have trusted neighbors, let them know you are going to be away so that they can keep an eye on things,' Cox wrote.
Cox said some neighborhoods will see an increased police presence, particularly during St. Patrick's Day weekend.
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'Underage drinking is against the law and violations will be heavily enforced,' he said. 'If you plan to attend the St. Patrick's Day Parade in South Boston, we remind you that unlawful behavior will not be tolerated: public drinking is illegal at any age.'
The police department is also urging students to be on the lookout for drink spiking.
'Colorless, odorless, and tasteless drugs like Rohypnol ('roofies'), GHB, and Ketamine can be secretly placed in beverages, leading to disorientation, confusion, temporary paralysis, unconsciousness, and other serious effects that leave victims vulnerable,' the department said in a statement.
Police said people should always have their drinks served directly by a bartender or server and keep their drink in sight at all times.
'If you need to leave your table, take your drink with you — even to the restroom," police said.
Police encouraged people to use drink-testing tools such as test strips or nail polish to detect the presence of drugs and seek immediate help if you suddenly feel dizzy, nauseous, light-headed, or otherwise unwell.
Authorities also urged students to watch out for each other.
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'Watch for unusual behavior in friends and acquaintances, and be cautious of strangers attempting to separate individuals from their group,' police said in the statement. 'If you see someone who appears distressed, wandering alone late at night, or dressed inappropriately for the weather, contact local authorities immediately.'
Nick Stoico can be reached at
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