Undercover police officers are being used by the Eugene Police Department for the first time to covertly investigate parties where underage drinking or alcohol sales are suspected. Police also may also use undercover officers at locations where kegs are registered or at parties that receive complaints.
A large party Saturday served as the first test of the new policy. Undercover EPD officers disguised as civilians infiltrated the party, which was at 1591 Mill St., at about 11:30 p.m.
“We’ve never used undercover cops at parties in the past,” EPD Sgt. Terry Fitzpatrick said. “We’ll use it again when appropriate.”
The idea of using undercover officers to enter parties is part of EPD’s plan to “pro-actively” prevent riots, he said, adding that using undercover officers in those situations is perfectly legal.
“These are the parties that cause riots,” he said. “The whole idea is to try to prevent riots.”
The undercover officers were given marked money to purchase alcohol at the party. After the purchases, the officers immediately called Fitzpatrick, who arrived at the party with other officers. The person at the front door let them in and they proceeded to investigate.
EPD cited 17 minors for intoxication, seized two kegs and confiscated between $65 and $75 in alleged beer sales. They also cited five people who live at that address, including four University students, for
furnishing alcohol to minors and illegal alcohol sales.
The officers at the scene also called the Oregon Liquor Control Commission to investigate.
OLCC Investigator Mark Jaehnig said OLCC seized band equipment, including drums and speakers, and a laptop. His preliminary estimation is the items are valued between about $13,000 and $15,000. Jaehnig said the band equipment and laptop were “alcohol related.”
But student Jeremy Hill said alcohol was not being sold at the party.
“There was no money involved in any of it. They weren’t selling cups; they weren’t selling alcohol at all,” Hill said. “I found that really confusing because there were no sales. No money was involved at all throughout that party.”
He added that the hosts of the party, including himself, were checking identification. Being a minor, he wasn’t able to drink, and he said he passed a sobriety test police gave him.
“When there’s a lot of people and only one person carding, it’s hard to keep everything under control,” he said.
Hill also said several signs were posted at the front and rear entrances that read “No trespassing” and “No minors will be served alcohol, have IDs ready.”
Fitzpatrick confirmed signs were posted, and EPD seized them as evidence.
“Those signs are posted for our benefit, not the minors,” he said.
Fitzpatrick said one-third to one-half of the people in attendance were minors.
Hill said although nearly 100 people were in and outside of the five-bedroom house, he was confused about why EPD showed up because he didn’t think the neighbors were complaining.
Fitzpatrick said neighbors began calling police several days before the party because they saw flyers promoting a live band and alcohol. EPD also knew about the party through a relationship OLCC has with local keg distributors.
After 5 p.m. Fridays, local companies send their keg receipts to the OLCC, which then sends OLCC investigators to registered keg locations to ensure the keg is where it should be. Investigators also talk to people about responsible parties.
“We try to educate students on campus so things like this don’t happen,” Jaehnig said.
Keg receipts require that keg purchasers provide two forms of identification. They also ask the buyer where and when the keg will be consumed, and the purchaser must sign a form stating her or she will not sell the alcohol, provide it to minors or provide it to those who are visibly intoxicated.
If party hosts feel the party has gotten out of control, Fitzpatrick said they can call the police for assistance. He said many times they get calls from people who anticipated just a few friends, but many more show up.
In that instance, if the host is the first person to contact the police, they will show up and help the host remove the people from the party who shouldn’t be there. Fitzpatrick added that if the host does call before any complaints from neighbors are made, the police will not issue citations at the party because the host took initiative to calm it down.