Offical Public Safety for Unofficial St Patrick’s Day

“Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day,” an event primarily centered on drinking, is expected to take place March 5, 2010 on and around the University of Illinois campus. The event is not sanctioned by the university or the cities of Champaign and Urbana.

Eight agencies will be taking an active role in making sure that disruptive, disorderly and illegal activity will be addressed:

• Champaign Police
• Urbana Police
• University of Illinois Police
• Illinois State Police
• Champaign County Sheriff
• Parkland College Public Safety
• Champaign County State’s Attorney
• Illinois Liquor Control Commission

These agencies will be monitoring and addressing illegal and unsafe activity. Officers will focus on street-level violations, illegal activities occurring at private parties, monitoring behaviors at licensed establishments and responding to citizen complaints. Officers will take appropriate enforcement action as needed.

During the 2009 event several hundred people were arrested, cited, or ticketed for a variety of crimes, including disorderly conduct, criminal damage, DUI, underage drinking and public possession of alcohol. Additionally, the university took disciplinary action against students as necessary. The university also notified other institutions’ offices of student discipline when the offender was not from the U. of I. Many other institutions have indicated they will take jurisdiction over illegal activities of their student in other college communities.

As a community member or potential visitor, you should be aware of local laws and ordinances.

Bar entry age

By executive order of the mayor of Champaign, bar entry in the Champaign campus area will be allowed only to patrons 21 years of age and older on March 5. Additionally, bar hours will be limited to 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Minors possessing alcohol

Those under 21 years old who are found in possession of or who have consumed alcohol may face a minimum fine of $300 in Urbana and $310 in Champaign. Minors may also face a suspension of their driver’s license upon a conviction for this offense.

Unlawful use of ID / Misrepresentation of age

Those who possess or present illegal IDs to include false, fraudulent or altered IDs as well as IDs not belonging to them may face minimum fines of $300 in Urbana and $310 in Champaign. Violations also will be submitted to the Illinois Secretary of State and could result in a suspension or revocation of driver’s licenses. This may also apply to persons who loan their ID to another.

Private parties

Private functions where the host is charging admission, charging for cups or wrist bands or in any way compelling a person to pay for alcohol are operating as an illegal liquor establishment and are subject to multiple fines. Private-party hosts must ensure that minors are not receiving or consuming alcohol. If minors are found to be consuming alcohol at these events, hosts could be charged with separate counts of providing alcohol to minors for each minor found consuming.

Kegs

The city of Champaign requires permits for possession of multiple kegs of alcohol. No keg permits will be issued during the week the event occurs. Individuals possessing multiple kegs or locations with multiple kegs will be cited under this ordinance. In the case of location-based violations, each of the residents occupying that location may be cited under that ordinance.

Throwing of dangerous material

The throwing of dangerous materials is a violation in both cities. The minimum fine in Urbana is $165; the fine in Champaign is $215. In Champaign, if the material is thrown from a balcony, the officers may charge the resident or residents as well as the person throwing the material. In the event of injury or death resulting from thrown objects, offenders could face more serious penalties including criminal charges.

Nuisance parties

Champaign and Urbana have ordinances that prohibit nuisance parties. Disorderly, disruptive conduct or conduct that creates a public safety concern typically will result in enforcement. Officers may order the termination of the party and clearing of the event location. Failure to respond to the officer’s direction at these nuisance parties could result in additional charges.

Classroom disruptions

Disruptions in U. of I. classrooms or of academic business will not be tolerated. Students or others who interfere with the academic mission of the university will face serious consequences including but not limited to arrest and referral to student discipline offices.

University residence halls

From March 5 through March 7 (Friday through Sunday), residents of U. of I. housing will not be able to host any guests who are not U. of I. students. All U. of I. students will need to have their university ID in their possession at all times. Anyone not possessing a U. of I. ID will be asked to leave the facility immediately.

Parking issues

Many campus lots have rented spaces or are private lots. Vehicles parked illegally are likely to be towed at the vehicle owner’s expense.

Officers from all agencies have the discretion to charge city ordinance or state criminal violations. In cases where criminal charges are filed the state’s attorney will be aggressively prosecuting those cases.

Our overall goal is to maintain order and protect the public. In past years we have had serious injuries and death occur in connection with this event. Local hospitals have been burdened by an influx of drunks. If you choose to drink, do so legally and responsibly. Members of our campus and cities respect our community. This same level of respect is requested of visitors to our community.