Late Saturday and early Sunday, about a dozen Eugene police officers responded to a loud noise complaint and suspicions of illegal kegs of beer at a party, according to the Eugene Police Department.
Officers initially arrived around midnight and discovered more than 200 attendees at the Campbell Club, located at 1670 Alder St. When notified that illegal kegs might be inside, the officers tried to enter the house but were blocked by residents. EPD attained a search warrant, and gained access around 3 a.m. Once inside, police found five kegs and several minors hiding throughout the house. The kegs were at the residence in violation of state liquor laws.
In total, 47 citations were filed, including 15 for minors in possession of alcohol, according to an EPD news release. Four party-goers were cited and taken to the Lane County Jail.
University student Ian Royer was one of the detained four, EPD Public Information Director Melinda Kletzok said. Since his release from jail, Royer told The Register-Guard that EPD officers forced some party-goers to wait outside for more than two hours until a warrant was obtained. Royer also said the officers prohibited anyone from urinating or accessing warmer clothing, according to the article in the Guard.
But EPD is refuting Royer’s accusations, Kletzok said.
“In comparison to the 200-plus people who were in attendance, there were not so many officers,” Kletzok said.
Kletzok said officers she talked with reported “providing coats and warm clothing to the party attendants, female officers were escorting female detainees to the bathroom, and officers were even making sure the cats in the house were secured in rooms and not getting outside.”
In response to similar party incidents, EPD released information Monday detailing its “Party Safe, Party Responsibly” public education effort that launched this year. The information specifically addresses the risks minors run in attending parties with alcohol, including rape, alcohol overdoses and assault, and how the community can address loud noise and rowdy party complaints. More information can be found on the EPD Web site.
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