We may await litigation that will lead to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania before we will know for sure whether Franklin & Marshall Security Force have the legal right to exercise police power at or near the college owned residence of the college premises, a location approximately 2/3rds of a mile from campus.
But if indeed it is ruled that the president’s house is part of the private police force domain, then according to the same statute it must be “open to the public.” In which case, John Fry will find the public picnicking on his front lawn even more annoying that Ron Harper, Jr. dropping off his business card.
The issue seems to boil down to whether the remote residence is indeed part of the campus, something that NewsLanc finds difficult to believe, but yet may be determined to be correct.
Below is an excerpt from what appears to be a case on point.
12/04/97 COMMONWEALTH PENNSYLVANIA v. RONALD F.
[1] SUPERIOR COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA
[2] NO. 01057 PITTSBURGH, 1997
[3] 1997.PA.15409
[4] December 4, 1997
[5] COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
v.
RONALD F. CROUSHORE, APPELLANT
……………
[20] Moreover, section 2416(h) of The Administrative Code *fn3 “specifically sets forth the circumstances under which campus police may exercise their powers off campus.” Savage, supra at , 589 A.2d at 698. Those circumstances only occur during an emergency situation when a specific request is made by the Mayor or other executive authority. 71 P.S. § 646(h). In the instant case, no circumstances existed which would justify the University Police in exercising jurisdiction beyond the boundaries of the University. Consequently, the University Police lacked the authority to stop appellant for running a red light, and his conviction cannot stand.
