With the student-invented ‘State Patty’s Day’ returning for a 10th year on Saturday, police are looking to stem some of the negative impacts in advance.
Student residents in the borough this week received a letter from State College Police, asking for cooperation, offering advice and warning that violations will be strictly enforced.
‘In past years, the weekend before Spring Break has been a challenge for our community,” the letter, signed by Police Chief John Gardner and Penn State Office of Student Conduct’s Danny Shaha, stated. ‘Though much better the past five years, the weekend between THON and spring break has resulted in more crime, more criminal arrests and more alcohol overdoses than a typical winter weekend.’
They noted that crime and overdoses were at their worst in 2011 but have improved since then. Still, after the university’s efforts in 2013 and 2014 to pay bars to close, the event saw somewhat of a return to its more raucous roots last year.
In 2016, borough and university police reported 207 crimes and ordinance violations over the weekend, up 47 percent from 2015’s 140 incidents. Police made 123 arrests and citations, up from the 88 in 2015, and responded to 507 calls.
Perhaps more alarmingly, EMS calls in 2016 were at their highest in three years, as Centre LifeLink EMS responded to 75 calls over the weekend. Of those, 46 were alcohol-related and 43 of the alcohol-related calls required trips to Mount Nittany Medical Center.
Gardner and Shaha said that in previous years, police and university officials have found that many who took part in the drunken revelry were out-of-town guests of students and other local residents.
‘As a result, we have had many problems with the number and severity of alcohol violations, noise complaints, vandalism and fights in apartment buildings and throughout the community during this particular weekend,’ they wrote.
Police have said they won’t be issuing warnings for ordinance violations — they will be issuing citations if they find someone responsible. Noise violations, they said, ‘will be strictly enforced all hours of the day and night.’ The minimum fine for a noise violation is $750 plus court costs.
The letter to students offered several ways they can help keep the peace this weekend:
– Students are asked not to invite guests to their apartment or houses;
– Prevent guests from throwing items from their balconies or houses;
– Do not permit anyone under 21 to consume alcohol. A resident can be arrested if someone underage consumes alcohol in their home;
– Do not serve large quantities of alcohol;
– Keep noise to a reasonable level;
– Keep the exterior of properties free of trash.
State College and Penn State police will have reinforcements throughout the weekend from other nearby police departments and Pennsylvania Liquor Control Enforcement.
‘All officers will assertively patrol for violations of the law,’ the letter said. ‘During this weekend, officers will focus enforcement on apartment buildings and other rental properties in the downtown and in the adjacent neighborhoods. Some officers will be working uniformed patrol details, while others will be working in plain clothes.’
As is normal practice, police also will refer any student charged with a criminal violation to the university’s Office of Student Conduct. The Student Code of Conduct applies on and off campus.
It’s unclear what effect the university’s indefinite suspension of fraternity social functions may have on the weekend. Fraternities have in the past banned parties on the weekend anyway.
But the suspension came as a result of a student death after falling down the steps at a fraternity party earlier this month and it will last until significant changes are adopted by the Greek life community. When Beta Theta Pi, the fraternity where student Anthony Piazza suffered injuries that led to his death, had its recognition revoked by the university, the school also announced several restrictions on fraternity parties once social functions do resume.
And this State Patty’s Day weekend could play a critical role informing how the borough moves forward with potential ordinances to address large gatherings.
Borough Council initially considered addressing it in revisions to the Property Maintenance Code. However, most council members agreed parties should be addressed through a separate ordinance. Tom King, assistant borough manager for public safety, is expected to bring a ‘party registration’ ordinance to borough council for consideration sometime this spring.
