Due to recent dangerous situations at house parties, the Newark Police Department has offered to assist party hosts in the removal of unwanted party attendees.
Lt. Brian Henry of the Newark Police Department said police have been working on this policy for two years and made it public in an attempt to thwart unmanageable parties that can lead to criminal activity.
"We are trying to prevent the robberies, thefts and large fights," Henry said. "If we can get the homeowner to call before these things occur, we [would be] preventing a big problem."
A party host seeking police assistance in such instances would not be subject to the same enforcement action taken when a complaint is received from an independent caller, he said.
"We are trying to encourage people to call the police when they have a problem at the house, without the fear of getting arrested," Henry said. "If you call the police for assistance, you won't get arrested for a noise violation or other minor offenses. We would rather get there and help you and dismiss you getting in trouble for a noise violation."
When it comes to underage drinking, the party hosts themselves will not be subject to arrest, he said. Other party attendees who are underage may be detained, however.
If called, the police would take care of the problem, speak to the hosts, advise them of problems that could have ensued and inform them how to prevent such issues in the future, Henry said.
He said he is unaware of any college students who have utilized police assistance for their parties, and he hopes nothing is preventing students from taking advantage of police backup.
"We are trying to tell [students] to help us out, and we are willing to overlook minor problems," Henry said. "Unless students don't think that is the case, then I couldn't see the reason for them not calling."
Public Safety Chief James Flatley said providing this support is a positive, proactive step by the city's police department.
"The Newark Police are reaching out to the community and trying to do what they can to keep the community as safe as possible," Flatley said.
He said Public Safety has a functional working relationship with the city department.
"If the city of Newark called upon us for assistance, we would help," Flatley said. "We have in the past and will continue to do so in the future."
Junior Dara Poltrock said students do not call the police often because they are afraid of getting in trouble.
Public Safety has made some students skeptical about calling the police in general because students who utilize the safe-ride system can receive violations for being intoxicated, Poltrock said.
She said students should call Newark Police if they feel threatened.
"I think it's a good thing to call the police when you're having a problem and not to have to worry about incriminating yourself," Poltrock said.
Senior Seth Riblett said if a problem occurred at a party he was hosting, he and his roommates would try to handle it first before involving the police.
"I would be hesitant to call the police to a party especially if there were underage kids there and I was providing the alcohol," Riblett said. "I would be inclined to handle it myself."
He said if he had a party that became violent, he would consider calling the police.
"If weapons were involved, I would call the cops," Riblett said.
Senior Homer Nelson said it sounds like a beneficial idea in theory, but the policy might be too good to be true.
"Basically, it's like they're free bouncers, but I feel like they're going to come in and bounce everyone and write up violations," Nelson said. "Figuratively speaking, what would they do if the house owner's roommate was upstairs smoking and the smell of weed was in the air?"
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