Students in hot water at local swimming hole

Police tighten security at Blue Hole after receiving complaints from residents

By Ashley Hopkins, news editor
Posted on September 4, 2007

Underage students drinking at Blue Hole may find themselves in hot water.

Police are tightening security at Blue Hole, located in Rawley Springs, Va., for the few weeks in an effort to reduce illegal activity and improve safety in the area, reported the Daily News-Record. The change occurred after police received complaints from residents.

“We’ve had complaints about the parking and some of the neighbors have complained about the noise,” Sgt.  Andy Muncy said.

The main complaints included illegal parking, trespassing, underage drinking and littering at and near the swimming hole. After checking out Blue Hole, Rockingham County officials decided to increase patrols throughout the area, according to the DN-R.

“We plan on doing it for at least a month or two and then we’ll re-evaluate it,” Muncy said.

JMU students have mixed feelings on the matter.

Sophomore Shea Kelly thinks there are some benefits to tightened security.

“I think it’s a good thing if they’re doing it to clean up the trash,” he said.

Sophomore Sam Amateis disagreed and said that people come out to Rawley to relax without restrictions.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea because not as many people will come,” she said.

Senior Derrick Scott, who visits Blue Hole two to three times a week when it’s warm, however, said that he will continue coming to the swimming spot, despite the increased restrictions.  He added that he hasn’t noticed too many changes in security, expect for “the cop that was here when [he] got here,” telling visitors to move their cars into a designated area.  Even this small change had its downfalls.

“It makes Blue Hole less accessible,” he said.

Amateis has also noticed the increased restrictions on parking and said that Saturday was the first day she had ever seen a cop come down to the hole.

As of now, residents living in the area do not want it closed.