BUTLER TWP - Students and visitors to the Butler County Community College campus should be careful to obey all campus rules, as campus police now have more authority.

On Wednesday afternoon, BC3 trustees granted campus police several new powers.

Campus police now are able to write citations and fine those who violate rules involving animals on campus; illegal use of alcoholic beverages; skateboarding violations; parking lot restrictions; littering; snowmobile use; and speeding.

Campus police have training required by law to be considered a police force, but they do not carry firearms. Instead, they carry nightsticks and Mace.

BC3 spokeswoman Susan Changnon said the change was made because campus police previously had no ability to write citations for offenses.

Lynn Burtner, BC3 vice president for administration and finance, said that prior to the new ordinance, campus police were only able to remove offenders from the campus. Now, they will be able to fine offenders.

Those situations include:

Animals

- Any animal on the property must be under control of its owner at all times. If the animal defecates on the property, the owner is responsible to clean it up. Unlicensed animals can be seized by campus police. Anyone who violates the ordinance is subject to a $100 fine and/or imprisonment of not more than 10 days.

Alcoholic beverages

- No one is permitted to have alcoholic beverages in their possession while on campus. Failure to follow the rule can result in a $100 fine and imprisonment of not more than 30 days.

Skateboards

- No one is allowed to ride or operate a skateboard inside any building or in a hazardous way on any campus roads or walks. Violators will be subject to a $100 fine and the skateboard could be impounded for up to 30 days.

Parking lot restrictions

- It is unlawful for anyone to loiter, stand or congregate either alone or in a group that obstructs the passage of vehicles or pedestrians. Violators are subject to a $100 fine and imprisonment of not more than 30 days.

Littering

- Anyone who litters is now subject to a $100 fine and imprisonment of not more than 30 days.

Snowmobiles, ATVs and off-road motorcycles

- Operation of these vehicles is prohibited on campus property and anyone caught using one will be asked to remove it and could be subject to a $100 fine and imprisonment of no more than 30 days.

Speed-timing devices

- Campus police are now authorized to monitor speed on campus and are able to fine violators.

Burtner said the new authority is effective immediately.

The campus police department includes three full-time officers and three part-time officers.