Five UBC engineering students have escaped charges for a botched attempt to suspend a Volkswagen Beetle from a Vancouver bridge last month — as long as they complete an alternative measures program.

The program allows individuals charged with offences to perform some sort of alternative resolution to avoid facing charges in court.

The alternative measures program

According the Ministry of Public Safety, the alternative measures program: "Provides an opportunity for people charged with less serious offences to accept personal responsibility for their behaviour by agreeing to make amends to the victim and/or community."

"Alternative measures may include restitution, an apology, community work service, and for First Nations people, involvement in culturally-based practices."

In February, the students allegedly attempted to hang the vehicle under the Second Narrows Ironworkers Memorial Bridge when the rope or cabling they were using failed and the vehicle plunged into the Burrard Inlet. The five were arrested and police recommended to the Crown they face charges of mischief over $5,000.

Crown prosecutor Neil Mackenzie said the decision to have the students complete the alternative measures program was made after looking at the seriousness of the offence, the harm it caused and the background of the offenders.

"The possibility remains that if a person does not satisfactorily complete the alternative measures, Crown counsel will get a report back from the program and we then have the option of proceeding with a criminal charge," said Mackenzie.

UBC's associate dean of engineering, Bruce Dunwoody, said the decision is a suitable punishment, and he hopes the traditional prank has come to an end for good.

UBC engineering students have been hanging the empty frames of Volkswagen Beetles from bridges since the early 1980s.