Party Tips This document is intended to assist you in planning a fun event and learning how to stay out of trouble, avoid the police and learn about common party host pitfalls, and how to avoid them or handle them when they occur. PrtySmrt Party Rule # 1 - Go to a party at someone else s house, don t host a party at your house - Avoid the drama, and problems. PrtySmrt Party Rule # 2 - If you ignore Rule # 1 be sure to register your party with PRTYSMRT. You will get a text warning rather than a one on one with VCU s or RPD s finest. Important Contacts For EMERGENCIES, contact VCU Police 828-1234 or call: 911 What exactly is a party? A party refers to an event with a packed house as opposed to a gathering of a small group of friends. A party is defined as a gathering of people that may include loud music, an abundance of alcohol, police visits, and a big mess at the end of the night. The safest party is one with a guest list at the door. This ensures that you, as a host, know everyone present. As a result, there is no question about how many people will attend. By knowing everyone in attendance at your party, the risk of damage, theft, and loss of control is greatly minimized. PrtySmrt Party Rule # 3 - Secure your valuables, Do Not let people you don t know in your house. Even the people you know well will take your stuff if they have the opportunity. Trust me on this one. The use of a guest list will not guarantee that only invited guests will attend. Friends may tell friends about your party, information about the party is shared among students, and passers by may see a crowd walking to or gathered outside your home. REDUCING RISKS Guest lists are great way to reduce risks. You may also want to consider stamping hands for friends over 21, limiting the number of guests, and preparing yourself with a script for asking unwelcome guests to leave (e.g., I m sorry. This is a closed party. ). This will reduce problems with overcrowding, noise, and other disruptive behavior. You may also want to consider closing off access to basements and attics during your party. This booklet addresses parties, presenting common dangers and proven methods to prevent risks and ensure that everyone can have a fun, safe time. ALCOHOL is a drug that impedes judgment and self-control. If misused, alcohol causes health problems and can be a burden on campus and city resources. Underage alcohol possession is a violation of Virginia State Code. Providing alcohol to underage drinkers is a serious law violation. Go to http://www.police.vcu.edu/safety/laws/alcohol_and_drugs.html for more information about Virginia law and VCU policy. Students may still choose to drink and parties are a way to build prtysmrt.com #prtysmrt facebook.com/prtysmrt 1
community. We are committed to reducing alcohol-related problems by providing information and awareness about the consequences of parties with alcohol. Alcohol and other intoxicants severely impede judgment and blur boundaries for acceptable behavior. Sober Host = Better Party- Every single time PrtySmrt Party Rule # 4 - The host and some others need to remain sober so that things can be kept under control. If not you got no one to blame but yourself. As the host of a party, you are responsible for making sure that everyone in attendance remains safe. You can do this by being aware and responding to activity in your home. In order to avoid some of the pitfalls (e.g., property damage, theft, sexual assault) of a large party, it is very important for the host(s) and several friends to remain sober. This will allow for better judgment when it comes to noise and behavior control issues. In order to avoid negative consequences, use these guidelines if you decide to drink, and help your guests use them too: PrtySmrt Party Rule # 5 - Don t drink like a Rock Star unless you are a Rock Star. Rock Stars have lots of people that take care of them, you probably don t. USE YOUR STOMACH Eat before and while you drink. Choose drinks with water or juice mixers (calories slow down alcohol absorption) and low alcohol content. Carbonated beverages increase the rate of intoxication and should be avoided. USE YOUR MOUTH Slow down your drinking rate to less than one per hour. Sip; don t gulp. Alternate between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Don t quench your thirst with alcoholic drinks. USE YOUR HEAD Plan how much you will drink beforehand Decide beforehand not to drink more than you can handle. Limit your drinks to no more than three or four per occasion. PrtySmrt Party Rule # 6 - Never leave your tail gunner-keep an eye on what your friends are doing. Always leave with all the people you came with. Never leave anyone behind to fend for themselves. If you see something SHADY - Take action. If a guest seems so intoxicated as they are leaving that they might not make it home, find alternate transportation. If you let them leave and something happens, as the host you may be responsible. prtysmrt.com #prtysmrt facebook.com/prtysmrt 2
BANDS AND NOISE As a host, you may want to have a band at your party. Keep in mind that live music may make noise management a challenge. Do not cover windows or doors with mattresses, blankets, or other materials to drown out noise. This is a serious fire hazard and is seldom effective. If you do have a live band or DJ, try to keep noise levels appropriate to avoid public complaints. If you do receive a complaint, reduce your noise as quickly as possible and maintain a more appropriate volume level. If the band or DJ will be outdoors, you will need to secure a Special Assembly Permit from the city. PrtySmrt Party Rule # 7 - Always get with your neighbors and let them know you are planning a party. You can invite them, but guess what-they don t want to come. Give them your cell number so that if they have issues they call you and not the police, PROPERTY DAMAGE AND THEFT Allowing strangers (e.g., friends of friends) or acquaintances into your home and letting them walk around unsupervised creates opportunities for items to be broken or stolen. The best way to prevent this is simply to prevent access to valuable items. Secure all bedrooms, pantries, and closets. Be sure that locks are secure enough not to get kicked in or broken. Secure cabinets, drawers, and refrigerators. Clear shelves and bulletin boards. Remove all towels, toiletries, and cleaning supplies from the bathroom that are not needed for hand washing. Cover or protect all items that can be tampered with. These include valves on the furnace, water heaters, radiators, and fuse boxes. DO NOT ALLOW SMOKING inside the house as this will drastically reduce the chance of a fire. Section off an outdoor area for smokers; most guests will be happy to step outside to smoke and cool off. This one is so simple I can t even make it a Rule. Do not allow the use of illegal substances at your party. If the police come and your guests ditch their stash in your house and the police find it. Guess who is getting charged with the drugs that the police find. It s your house. It is imperative that, as a host, you remain sober enough to keep an eye on the door and the events taking place outside. Check the locks periodically and watch out for people breaking or stealing items. It s a good idea to ask friends to help you monitor your party. REMEMBER: If items come up missing, there s little that can be done and it s unlikely that you ll find who took them. If damage is done to the house, as the host, you are liable and may be billed when you terminate your lease. SEXUAL ASSAULT Guests who have had too much to drink are generally not in a state of mind to obtain or grant consent for sex. If your guests behavior looks questionable, consider stepping in to make sure both prtysmrt.com #prtysmrt facebook.com/prtysmrt 3
parties are consenting and are sober enough to do so. Groping, harassing, or making any other unwanted sexual contact is always unacceptable. Talk to your guests and their companions as they come and go. Ask them if their friends know they are leaving and if they know the person/people with whom they are leaving. Watch for people lingering outside the party; when people are visibly drunk they become easier targets of crime. PrtySmrt Party Rule # 8 - We expect VCU students to Step Up if they see something Shadythat means something happening that s not cool. Better defined as something you would not want to tell your mother about. FIGHTS Use your best judgment to diffuse violence. If people are looking to fight, destroy property, or do something that could hurt other people, consider your options: Let other guests know to avoid the people looking to fight. Consider contacting the police to assist with diffusing the situation before things get out of hand and neighbors call the police for you. Enlist a group of friends to escort guests wishing to fight out of party and off the property. Watch entrances to ensure that these guests do not return. PrtySmrt Party Rule # 9 - If your party goes south don t be afraid to call the police to help you clean up the mess and get everyone out. This is usually a better outcome than a big brawl, stabbing or shooting in your front yard. I am not kidding about Rule # 9. PARTY GETS BUSTED Even registered parties can get busted if things get out of hand. Below are some ways to maintain control at your party, to have the police involved in a positive way, and to react if your party gets busted. PrtySmrt Party Rule # 10 - Listen closely folks. If you have been causing issues for the police and have ignored the warnings and the police do come to your house. It will be the take no prisoners approach, people are going to get locked up, get tickets and whatever else is necessary to restore peace and order. WHAT ARE SOME WAYS I CAN AVOID HAVING THE POLICE BUST MY PARTY? Inform your neighbors when you are having a party. Giving neighbors a heads-up before the party shows respect and encourages neighbors to approach you with concerns instead of immediately calling the police. Take frequent walks around the outside of your house. You ll find out if music is too loud, if people are too loud, or if there is a line to get in (this is a sure signal that your party is too big). Keep all of your guests in the backyard or back of the house. This will draw less attention to the party and discourage people from wandering around through neighbors yards. prtysmrt.com #prtysmrt facebook.com/prtysmrt 4
Use fans and vents to keep the temperature cool inside the house. This will help people avoid passing out or getting sick. It will also decrease the need for people to stand outside to get cool, which will lessen the noise outside. Abide by state and federal law related to alcohol and other drugs. Remember that charging admission at the door or selling alcohol at your party is a violation of state law and is therefore illegal.. In addition, collecting money increases your risk of being a victim of crime (theft) and of attracting party-goers not on your guest list, as charging often is perceived as similar to a club event. It s always best to have an ending time set for your Party. Prior to that time you can let people know that the party is getting ready to end and you can get people heading out the door gradually rather than in big, loud, drunk groups. Not good. THE MOST COMMON REASONS THE POLICE COME TO A PARTY Party noise (people yelling, loud music) Fights People gathering outside (hanging in street, driveways, porches) Public urination or vomiting (in street, on houses, on cars) Destruction of public or private property (vandalism, theft, arson) Pulling fire alarms (typically in apartments) A FINE MESS - WHAT CAN THE POLICE DO IF YOUR PARTY GETS BUSTED"? Hosts may be fined by the city for any or a combination of the following: noise complaint liquor law violations violation of state or federal laws regarding alcohol or other drug use under-age consumption open container violation driving under the influence of alcohol In addition VCU Police will contact your landlord and advise them that criminal violations have occurred on their property. Once this notification is made the landlord can be criminally liable for future violations. Guess what usually happens after this You guessed it start looking for a new place to live. Please remember that you may also be charged with violations of the VCU Code of Conduct. You can be criminally charged and also face administrative action by VCU for Code of Conduct violations. If you are found responsible of a violation of VCU s Code of Conduct the outcomes could involve probation, suspension, or expulsion (depending on the severity of your offense). Your criminal record may become tarnished for your entire life if you are a minor in possession of alcohol or if you furnish alcohol for a minor, or are arrested for any offense: prtysmrt.com #prtysmrt facebook.com/prtysmrt 5
General Consequences: You could face a fine up to $1,000 and/or jail time up to 6 months. Your license could be revoked. Your auto-insurance rate may increase substantially. College Consequences: Your student record may be affected if the Dean of Students gets involved. In some cases, parents may be notified. PrtySmrt Party Rule # 11 - At this point it s all about damage control - this can go the easy way or the hard way - You Pick WHAT SHOULD I DO IF THE POLICE SHOW UP AT MY PARTY? DO NOT run away from the police, lock the door on them, or ignore them. Avoidance will only make the situation worse, so come clean up front. DO stop the music and the party and ask everyone to leave calmly. Emphasize to guests that the hosts are responsible for speaking with the police, not the guests. DO find the most sober and coherent host to talk to the officers. Uncontrollable and uncooperative hosts will only aggravate the situation. If given a citation, DO go to your court date to address the situation and citation. CONCLUSION Parties occur today, occurred when your parents were in college, and will occur when your kids are in college. Parties can be high-risk situations with many, potentially costly, consequences. Much of the responsibility is on you as the host. This guide is based on perspectives and experiences of college students who have been in these situations and want to keep the party environment fun and safe for all involved. PrtySmrt Party Rule # 12 - If you have not listened to the first 11 rules you are not going to listen to this one. Clean up your mess after your party. This one really matters, your yard, your neighbor s yard, the street, the block. Get it? If the neighbors were annoyed by the noise last night they will be straight up pissed off by the garbage if you don t clean it up. This one is up to you bro If you choose not to follow PrtySmrt tips you may find yourself early Saturday morning washing police cars, or picking up garbage in Monroe Park all day long while your friends that know how to PRTYSMRT are in bed sleeping comfortably. It s called Community Service hours and they are court mandated if you get arrested for not following my tips. I have yet to meet anyone that likes doing Community Service hours You may be the first. PRTYSMRT all the time. For more safety and crime prevention information go to VCU.edu/police prtysmrt.com #prtysmrt facebook.com/prtysmrt 6