Law enforcement to provide extra assistance over graduation weekend

MORGANTOWN — Graduation weekend is here and law enforcement is here to help, local agencies said.
Traditionally, WVU graduation weekend does not create a need for significant increases in manpower, Deputy Chief Eric Powell, Morgantown Police, said.
WVU is hosting 17 commencement ceremonies with almost 4,500 students graduating, starting today and ending Sunday, Lisa Martin, commencement coordinator, said.
Powell said WVU has done an excellent job holding the ceremonies at different locations and times to reduce the number of issues that result in a large number of people at the same place and time.
The department’s Special Services Unit will be working over the weekend to assist with traffic issues and offer help to visitors unfamiliar with Morgantown, he said. WVU parking staff and WVU Police will be on-site at each ceremony to help with parking and exiting, Martin said.
Monongalia County Sheriff Perry Palmer said his department will probably bring a few extra deputies into service this weekend, using grant money. He said the deputies will be handling normal duties and helping visitors with directions or questions they have about the area.
Powell said that MPD has found Morgantown takes on a more family-oriented feel during graduation and in the days leading up to it. Minor traffic incidents could slightly increase due to the influx of people unfamiliar with Morgantown, but officers usually give warnings and guidance to those violators, he said.
Martin suggested that people coming to watch loved ones graduate plan their route to the ceremony ahead of time, advice repeated by Powell.
“The best advice to give any traveler visiting an unfamiliar place is to plan the trip well in advance,” he said.
Morgantown residents are relatively accustomed to the influx of traffic and Powell said the department ask for patience and understanding from those who may not be as familiar.