Red solo cups and empty beer cans litter several yards, and one house even proudly displays a cooler on its roof. However, these are normal sights in the Normal Station neighborhood bordered by Southern, Highland, Park and Goodlett- home to many University of Memphis students.
“The Normal Station Neighborhood Association has launched a campaign to welcome students back for the semester and communicate some community values in advance to get in front of some problems we have encountered in the past,” TK Buchanan, U of M Community Safety Liaison, said.
In the diverse neighborhood of students, families, seniors and young adults, complaints aimed at students generally surround excessive partying, noise complaints, party trash and overflow parking are regular occurrences, Buchanan said.
“In the last nine days there have been three incidents where police have had to break up parties. To start the semester this way before school even starts with massive monster parties means we need to do a better job communicating our expectations,” Buchanan said.
But instead of lashing out against students, Buchanan and others just ask for communication and common decency.
“We love students, everyone loves students. I’m cool with you doing your thing. I just don’t want to step over vomit, urine and beer cans to get to campus,” Buchanan said.
If students are planning a party, the neighborhood association suggests telling neighbors ahead of time so they know what to expect, and being respectful of the city’s residential quiet hours between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.
“It’s a good practice even if you just put a flyer on their door saying ‘Heads up. We are having a party,’ state what’s going to be happening so we aren’t surprised, and invite us to come have a beer with you,” resident and mom Tara Mulligan said.
The biggest noise problem, Buchanan said, is not the party itself but students leaving the party.“ Saying good bye at a party is like the second line in New Orleans,” she said.
She and other association members posted signs in yards and on telephone poles Monday to welcome students and deliver friendly neighborhood protocol such as quiet time and garbage pick up days in hopes that students will be more respectful of their neighbors and their surroundings.
Another issue of contention for the neighborhood involves students illegally parking in yards, which is prohibited by the Memphis Code Enforcement.
“We want them here. We love students. We just want them to be respectful. Parties are fine. It’s a problem just when someone ends up urinating on the side of your house and walking through your yard when they are drunk at three in the morning,” resident Lisa Ball said.
