I have lived in the Audubon Circle area, which Boston University calls its “South Campus,” for over 34 years — so I have seen a lot of Boston Marathons. Monday’s marathon was the worst ever in terms of truly appalling behavior by students, 90 percent of whom I would estimate were BU students. There were hundreds of rowdy, drunken, completely out of control students on Beacon Street who were yelling, throwing cans out windows, constantly urinating in public (both men and women), vomiting, throwing things and littering everywhere.

I thought this generation was supposed to be environmentally conscious. The police were here but did nothing — nothing. I have spoken to neighbors who walked from Beacon Street to Commonwealth Avenue to the finish line and up to Cleveland Circle, and everything was completely calm — no problems.

But not in Audubon Circle.

One woman who has lived in Audubon Circle for 50 years told me she has never seen such horrendous crowds and was afraid to go outside. This is not acceptable behavior and cannot be allowed to continue. I would hope that student leaders, Dean of Students Kenneth Elmore and professors would remind BU students that their public conduct is always under scrutiny by the community and unruly behavior reflects very badly on them as individuals and on Boston University as a whole.

Katherine Greenough Boston resident