The
S ource I nvestigation P roject
Your Guide to Having Fun the Safe Way
PARTYSmart In this guide
Party Smart
Top 10 Ways to Party Smart P.1
Responsible partying is not a contradiction in terms. Whether we’re celebrating the end of finals or a Penn State victory, be a good neighbor and stay safe by following the easy tips in this Party Smart guide.
Changes to the Noise Ordinance Increase Fines Anyone who has been to a party with their friends on a Friday or Saturday night knows how fun it can be. But they also know about some of the downsides of the party scene: the noise, the police and the dangers of excessive drinking. State College Borough has instituted a number of policies, including a noise ordinance amendment, to lessen the impact of these negative consequences for the community as a whole.
Other Important Ordinances P.2 The SIP Strategy P.3 Under the Influence P.4 When to Call 911 P.5 Noise Ordinance Amendments P.6
Top
10 Ways to Party Smart
a manageable number of 6. Provide non-alcoholic drinks 1. Invite guests. Everyone should fit in and food for your party guests the space that you have – not in the so things don’t get too out of hand. driveway or the Be sure to designate a neighbor’s yard. sober party host to NEVER serve Tell your neighbors keep tabs on noise, the alcohol to you are having a number of guests, and other persons under party and encourage potential problems. the them to contact you FIRST age Work with law officers. if there is a problem. Be If you should get a of sure to leave your name knock on your door from Have someone and number so they can the police, being check IDs at the call you. cooperative can make all door to be sure. Know your guests. the difference. Turn away those who you do Have an adequate number of not know and those who are trash receptacles and recycling already intoxicated. You are legally containers available during the responsible for the actions of event. Clean up any trash as soon as everyone at the party. your party is over to avoid a fine. Keep the noise down! If your Remember to thank your neighbors party is too loud, police are for their cooperation! more likely to show up. Keep Be familiar with your lease; windows closed and periodically often times a landlord will walk around the outside of your prohibit kegs, outdoor parties or apartment/house to check the have a limit on the number people noise level. allowed in the residence.
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State College Police Department Source Investigation Project: Funded by a grant through the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.
Top 5 Things Penn State Students Do to Reduce Risks When Drinking
1. Intentionally eat food or a meal before drinking 2. Keep track of how many drinks they've had
We asked the State College Police Department, “What are the top 6 reasons cops stop?”
3. Set a personal limit of how many drinks they’ll have per occasion 4. Alternate between water (or other non-alcoholic drinks) and alcohol 5. Pace their drinking to no more than one standard drink per hour
1. Loud music and noise
Don’t Become a Nuisance Public Urination and Defecation
Cited with Underage Drinking? The Youthful Offenders Program is an alcohol and drug education program for persons cited for underage drinking in Centre County.
The program offers offenders an alternative to the standard fine and the permanent police record carried by underage drinking. Developed by Community Help Centre and approved by local District Judges Operated in coordination with the State College Police Department The program is designed to increase self-awareness, monitoring skills as they relate to alcohol and substance use and abuse, and increase awareness of the communal impact of dangerous drinking
How does it work? Requests for enrollment must be made before a plea is entered. Enrollment must be approved by the presiding district justice. For more information, go to communityhelpcentre.com or call 814-234-8222
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Urination or defecation in any place other than a place which is enclosed from the public and is specifically designed for sanitary disposal of human waste is prohibited. Fines can be up to $600 plus court costs, making this a very expensive and embarrassing bathroom break!!!
2. Public urination 3. Carrying open containers of alcoholic beverages 4. Throwing items, scattering rubbish or littering 5. Public drunkenness 6. Damage to property or criminal mischief
Open Burn Camp fires and bonfires are prohibited. Burning outdoors is permitted for recreational purposes but ONLY when using an approved container (such as grills). Cord wood, 3 hour logs and charcoal are the only acceptable materials. Fires must be contained within the diameter of the container. Fines can be as large as $600.
Open Container Carrying any liquor, malt or brewed alcoholic beverages in an open container on public property (sidewalks, alleys and roadways, for example) is prohibited in the Borough. Remember: Don’t drop a container if an officer approaches because that is an additional violation under state law called “scattering rubbish.” An open container violation carries a fine of up to $600 plus court costs and a scattering rubbish violation has a fine of up to $300 plus court costs.
Refuse Violations In an attempt to decrease the number of refuse violations and the amount of litter on Borough streets, yards and sidewalks, Borough Council adopted an amendment to Borough codes this February increasing the fine from $50 to $100 per offense. These violations generally relate to the improper disposal of refuse or recyclables, including party materials—cans, cups, bottles, etc., which should be cleaned up immediately after a party.
SIP Aggressive Alcohol Enforcement
Need a Ride? Buzzed driving is drunk driving; play it safe — designate a sober driver or call a cab. AA Taxis Inc. 814-231-8294 Taxi by Handy Delivery
SIP cases help to remove large quantities of alcoholic beverages from the hands of minors.
What is SIP? The Source Investigation Project is creating a system by which alcohol source cases can be investigated more often and in greater depth. Thereby, meeting its main goal of holding accountable the persons or organizations that furnish alcohol to minors and others, creating a safer community and reducing alcohol fueled incidents such as:
Underage drinking Alcohol overdoses Public drunkenness Driving under the influence
Sexual assaults Physical assaults Serious injuries or death
The Successfulness of SIP Investigations In one SIP case, State College Police kept 35 bottles of hard liquor and 8 thirty-packs of beer from reaching the hands of the minors it was intended for. This case is an example of just one case out of hundreds handled by SIP investigators in the State College area.
Know the Code
814-355-5555 Nittany Taxi 814-867-4646 Happy Valley RIDE 814-237-7433 Golden Taxi LLC 814-355-2200
Did You Know? Student Disciplinary Records are part of a
Want to make sure that you know the code? Familiarize yourself with the Pennsylvania State University Student Code of Conduct, by taking the “Know the Code” quiz. Students who take the quiz will be rewarded for their participation. They will have the opportunity to enter a raffle to receive prizes throughout the academic year. You will be notified via email if you are a winner.
Take the quiz online at http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/conduct/knowthecode/
student's formal educational record and are centrally maintained in the Office of Student Conduct at the University Park Campus of the Pennsylvania State University. Student Disciplinary Records are kept on file in the Office of Student Conduct for seven years after the graduation date of the student. For more information visit the website: studentaffairs.psu.edu/
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Sex Under the Influence Good to go:
You are both thinking clearly Alcohol isn’t clouding your judgment Both of you are clearly communicating about consent You are prepared to practice safer sex
Need to Stop:
You have never met the person sober before S/he is reluctant or sends mixed messages S/he is visibly drunk or you are not sure how much the person has had to drink S/he is on the verge of passing out
Playing it Safe:
Mix your own drinks Don’t leave the drink unattended Pay attention to gut feelings or discomfort around someone Be clear about your intentions with another person Communicate assertively if another person is being disrespectful Don’t hesitate to leave an uncomfortable or dangerous situation
Text Source: Sex Under the Influence, Center for Women Students and University Health Services
SAVEdmonton.com
Take the Lead... Against BINGE DRINKING by following these safer drinking strategies:
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If drinking at a bar, bring just enough money to pay for the drinks you plan to consume.
Set a limit for the night. Keep your bottle caps or transfer coins from one pocket to the other to track the number of drinks you consume.
Keep your stomach full. Most Penn State students intentionally eat food before drinking.
Make your own drinks and use less alcohol when mixing.
Alternate between alcohol and water (or another alcohol-free drink).
Keep it to one drink per hour. The liver can only breakdown alcohol at a rate of one drink per hour. This is true for everyone. When you consume more than one drink per hour, you risk damaging your liver.
Avoid drinking games, shots, and playing “catch up.” All of these activities make it easier to drink more than you planned.
Never mix alcohol with drugs, including prescriptions
Never drink when you are Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired (HALT), as drinking will exacerbate these emotions.
Recognize your personal signs that you’ve had enough to drink
Text Sources: University Health Services BAC Guide and the Youthful Offenders Program Image Source: Eastern Illinois University “Don’t be that Guy/Girl” Campaign
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Alcohol Poisoning is a Medical Emergency If you suspect someone has alcohol poisoning— Even if you don’t see the classic signs and symptoms—Seek immediate medical care. Look for the following symptoms:
Confusion Vomiting Seizures Slow breathing (less than 8 breaths a minute) Irregular breathing (a gap of more than 10 seconds between breaths Blue-tinged skin or pale skin Low body temperature Unconscious, and can’t be roused
What to Do When You Call
911
When you call for help, remain calm. Speak slowly and clearly. Stay on the line until you're told to hang up. Be sure to provide the following information: Your name, address, and phone number The exact location of the person needing help The nature of the problem
B.A.C.
Effects on the Drinker
.02 ‐ .04
Lightheaded, loss of shyness, slight euphoria
.05 ‐ .07
Buzzed, euphoria, minor impairment or
.08 ‐ .10
Legal impairment, impairment of judgment, reac on me, DUI
Remain calm so that the intoxicated person will remain calm;
.11 ‐ .15
Percep on impairment, loss of gross motor
Keep the intoxicated person on their side and in the recovery position and DO NOT try to make them throw up.
.16 ‐ .18
Dizzy, blurred vision
.20 ‐ .24
Dazed, confused, no percep on of me, unable to walk unassisted
.25 ‐ .30
Stupor, all func ons severely impaired, accidents, pass out
.30 +
Coma, acute alcohol poisoning, death
How You Can Help while waiting for EMS STAY WITH THE INTOXICATED PERSON; If you have been drinking, get a sober person to help;
What Do B.A.C. Effects Mean for You & Your Friends? One drink will affect you differently depending upon your weight and sex. Refer to the BAC Guide provided by University Health Services for more information on the connection between drink equivalents and Blood Alcohol Content (BAC).
Binge Drinking: What are other Risks? You may have heard that regular light-to-moderate drinking can be good for the heart. With heavy or at-risk drinking, however, any potential benefits are outweighed by greater risks, including alcohol poisoning and: Injuries: Drinking too much increases your chances of being injured or even killed. For example, alcohol is a factor in: Approximately 60% of fatal burn injuries, drownings, and homicides; 50% of severe trauma injuries and sexual assaults; and 40% of fatal motor vehicle crashes, suicides, and fatal falls.
Sobering Statistics In 2011, Centre LifeLink responded to 2,426 total calls in the State College Borough: 18% of these calls were alcohol-related. 85% of patients were ages 19 to 22 years old.
Health problems: Heavy drinkers have a greater risk of liver disease, heart disease, sleep disorders, depression, stroke, bleeding from the stomach, sexually transmitted infections from unsafe sex and several types of cancer. Heavy drinkers may have problems managing diabetes, high blood pressure and other conditions. Birth defects: Drinking during pregnancy can cause brain damage and other serious problems for the baby. Because it is not yet known whether any amount of alcohol is safe for a developing baby, women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should not consume alcohol. Alcohol use disorders: Generally known as alcoholism and alcohol abuse, alcohol use disorders are medical conditions that doctors can diagnose when a patient's drinking causes distress or harm. In the United States, about 18 million people have an alcohol use disorder. Worried that your drinking may be harming your health? Go to alcoholscreening.org to get personalized results.
Source: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
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Noise Ordinance Frequently Asked Questions What is the purpose of the noise control ordinance? This ordinance aims to ensure that public health, safety and welfare shall not be negatively impacted by excessive or offensive noises in the Borough of State College. How is the ordinance enforced? The ordinance is enforced by police officers through the issuance of citations for violations.
Important Phone Numbers Off-Campus State College Police 814-234-7150 Police Non-Emergency 1-800-479-0050 Mount Nittany Medical Center 814-231-7000 Centre LifeLINK EMS 814-237-8163 MidPenn Legal Services 814-238-4958 Centre County Women’s Resource Center 814-234-5050
On-Campus Penn State Police 814-863-1111 Walking Service 814-865-WALK (9255) Counseling and Psychological Services 814-863-0395 Office of Student Conduct 814-863-0342 Student Legal Services 814-867-4388
Source Investigation Project S t at e Co l l eg e P o li c e D e p a rt m e n t 243 South Allen Street State College, PA 16801 814-234-7110 phone www.statecollegepa.us
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When will the ordinance be enforced? The ordinance can be enforced 24 hours/day, 7 days a week. If the noise is considered unreasonable, a citation may be issued at any time. The ordinance can be enforced when officers receive complaints for unreasonable noise or when officers encounter unreasonable noise. What will officers take into consideration when assessing a possible violation? The officer will consider several things when making Don’t want your party to get out of hand? Keep private parties private: Refrain from a decision to issue a citation and some of those posting your address on social media sites to things include, but are not limited to, the intensity of keep your guest list a manageable size. the noise, time of day, day of week, duration of noise, whether the sound is temporary and if the location has received prior warnings or complaints. Who receives the citation? A citation is issued for a noise ordinance violation to the person or persons who create the noise or allow any unreasonable noise to be created. Don’t I get a Warning? Officers ARE NOT required to provide you with a warning that your music or noise is too loud. Warnings may be issued at times but they are not a given right by law. How much is the fine? Fines are set by the Magisterial District Judge and follow the following scale for violations occurring in a 180-day period. The total cost of a citation will also have court costs of about $100 added to them.
First Violation:
$250 to $1,000
Second Violation:
$500 to $1,000
Third Violation:
$1,000
A Partnership between the State College Police Department, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, and Community Help Centre’s Youthful Offenders Program Funded by a grant through the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.