SAFE, CONSIDERATE PARTYING

KNOW the LAW                 Party Management Tips

EUGENE POLICE NEWS RELEASE                         
September 26, 2008
For further information, please call:
Melinda Kletzok, Public Information Director, at 541.334.9001

Large Crowd of 250 People Riots Near Campus, Police Respond
Party Safe, Party Responsibly - Info Included Below
Incident No. 08-76700

Around 11 p.m. last night, several callers living near 17th and Ferry called to report a loud and disorderly crowd of more than 100 people. When several officers arrived, instead of a crowd at 17th and Ferry, they found a significantly larger crowd of about 250 at 17th and Mill. As they arrived, the crowd began throwing beer bottles and cans, striking one patrol car.

Officers called for backup and were able to disperse the crowd, which moved away from the immediate area, now broken out into large groups. Up to 10 officers worked throughout the night until 1:20 this morning on the incident. They broke up other parties and issued citations for Minor in Possession, Open Container and other violations.

"Our officers are often called to respond to dangerous situations," said Captain Pete Kerns. "Large disorderly crowds are one of the most unpredictable and risky calls to go on. Thankfully, we have a force of highly trained and competent professionals dedicated to serving this community, including responding to highly charged incidences, such as this one. We'd like to do everything we can with neighbors, businesses and the university to reduce the likelihood that something like this doesn't happen again this year."

One residence at 17th and Mill received a warning for loud noise and another received a first response notice. The first response notice can be issued to residents or businesses when certain categories of crimes, such as noise disturbances, occur. If the police have to return to the same address for a similar problem within 90 days, they will be subject to enhanced fines and penalties.

The Eugene Police Department welcomes students to the community. Over the past several years partnerships have been formed between many agencies and organizations to provide a safe, positive living environment for students residing in Eugene, especially in the University of Oregon campus area. In past years, many parties hosted in and around the campus area have resulted in complaints from neighbors and required police response. Some significant problems have included street parties involving intoxicated individuals, assaults resulting in injuries to students and police officers, damage to public and private property, and noise disturbances involving yelling and/or loud music.

Eugene Police maintain a visible presence in the campus area to conduct education, intervention and enforcement. Individuals violating ordinances or state law are subject to citation, physical arrest, and/or civil fines.

Alcohol and noise violations are chronic issues and are specifically targeted.

Party Management Tips
Respect your neighbors. Find ways to celebrate that do not infringe upon your neighbors and that are alcohol-free.

Control the guest list. "Come one, come all" parties usually result in police contact. Have a door monitor to screen guests. Don't let random people who are walking around looking for a party into your house.

Adults only. If you choose to serve alcohol, ensure that you only serve to persons 21 years of age or older.

Plan ahead. Notify neighbors well in advance of the date, times and location of the party. Give them a telephone number and the name of the person to contact if there is a problem (and be responsive to their calls!).

Monitor noise levels. Keep doors and windows closed to reduce outside noise levels.

Discourage drinking games. Have a non-drinking person serving alcohol and don't let people carry alcoholic beverages outside of your party.

Clean it up. Your neighbors may be more tolerant of your next party if you clean up promptly after this one. Clean up debris from your yard or the street.

Safety first. If you are concerned for a friend's medical safety-such as suspected alcohol poisoning-call 9-1-1 immediately.

Prevent drunk driving. Arrange for transportation by a designated driver before anyone drinks. Make sure arrangements are understood by everyone. Ensure people don't drive under the influence (a person riding a bicycle under the influence also may be arrested for DUII). As the party host, you are also liable.

What if your party gets out of control?
If your party gets out of hand, call the police. EPD will come out and help you regain control.

Respond positively if a police officer comes to your house. The officer most likely is responding to a complaint. Make sure the person interacting with police officers at the front door is sober and able to be responsive to officers' requests.

Interfering with police officers makes a bad situation worse. Use common sense and be cooperative.

When a police officer asks you to clear an area, leave right away. If you stick around to see what's happening, you may be in a situation where you are interfering with a police officer. If police warn that they are going to use tear gas, you need to quickly get as far away as you can.

It is important to know the law!

Frequently Violated Ordinances and Laws
Minor in Possession (MIP):
No person under the age of 21 shall attempt to purchase, acquire or have in their possession any alcoholic liquor (Eugene City Code 4.115 or Oregon Revised Statute 471.430), nor have in their system any alcoholic liquor (ECC 4.115).
Offense: Violation Fine: Up to $360

Minor Falsely Representing Age:
A person less than a certain age who knowingly purports to be older with the intent of securing a right, benefit or privilege which by law is denied under that certain age (ECC 4.145).
Offense: Crime Fine: Up to $500 (jailable)

Giving False Information to a Police Officer:
Knowingly uses or gives a false name, address, or birthdate to an officer issuing a citation (ECC 4.906).
Offense: Crime Fine: Up to $2,500 (jailable)

Possession of a Forged Instrument (Fake ID):
A person commits the crime of possession of a forged instrument in the first degree if, knowing it to be forged and with intent to utter same, the person possesses a forged instrument issued by a government (ORS 165.022).
Offense: Class C Felony Fine: Up to $125,000 (jailable)

Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor:
No one shall sell, give, or otherwise make available any alcoholic liquor to a person under the age of 21 years (ECC 4.110 or ORS 471.410).
Offense: Class A Misd. Fine: Up to $6,250 (jailable)

Allowing Alcohol Consumption by Minors:
No person who exercises control of private real property shall knowingly allow a minor to drink alcohol on the property or remain on the property after consuming (ECC 4.110(3) or ORS 471.410-3).
Offense: Violation Fine: Up to $1,000

Open Container/Consumption in Public:
Consumption of alcoholic liquor or possession of an open alcoholic beverage container is prohibited in all public places and all private property extended to the public for use (ECC 4.190).
Offense Fine: Up to $500 (jailable)

Prohibited Noise:
Intentionally or recklessly creating or continuing any noise disturbance (meaning any sound which injures or endangers the safety or health of a human, or which annoys or disturbs a reasonable person of normal sensitivities). Operating or permitting the use or operation of any device designed for sound production between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. that is plainly audible within another dwelling; the same applies on public property or right-of-ways if it is plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet or more (ECC 4.080 and 4.083).
Offense Fine: Up to $500 (jailable); up to $1,500 (jailable) for failure to cease within 30 minutes after notice or citation or for a similar noise disturbance within 6 months of receiving a citation.

Interfering with a Police Officer:
Intentionally acts in a manner that prevents or attempts to prevent a police officer from performing the lawful duties of the police officer with regards to another person; or refuses to obey a lawful order by the police officer (ORS 162.247 and ECC 4.907).
Offense: Class A Misd. Fine: Up to $6,250 (jailable)

Disorderly Conduct:
With intent to cause public inconvenience or annoyance or recklessly creating a risk thereof: a) Engages in fighting or violent behavior; b) Makes unreasonable noise; c) Disturbs any lawful assembly; d) Obstructs any vehicular or pedestrian traffic; e) Refuses to disperse when ordered to do so; f) Initiates or circulates a report known to be false regarding fire, crime or other emergency; g) Creates a hazardous or physically offensive condition. Note: "Public" means three or more people disturbed or inconvenienced (ECC 4.725).
Offense: Crime Fine: Up to $1,000 (jailable)

Rioting:
A person commits the crime of riot if while participating with five or more persons the person engages in tumultuous and violent conduct and thereby intentionally and recklessly creates a grave risk of causing public alarm (ORS 166.015).
Offense: Class C Felony Fine: Up to $125,000 (jailable)