Breakin' the Law How to keep your cowboys out of the open saloon by throwing a legal house party
By Elizabeth Marvel, Jayplay writer
Friday, 11 p.m. Somewhere on Tennessee St.
Friday, 11 p.m. Somewhere on Tennessee You excitedly walk up the front walkway and attempt to squeeze through the teeming mass of people loudly chatting on the front porch.
the teering mass of people loudly chatting on the front porch. "Raging party, eh?" someone asks you. "The keg's in back. Have fun," the kid says before he sauntters off. Another weekend in the student ghetto begins as you pump a beer from the frosty keg on the back porch. Just as you finish filling your cup, a shout is heard above the crowd.
The word sends the party into a panic as underage drinkers toss their cups to the ground. More conscientious drinkers hide their cups behind books, lamps and in bathroom cabinets.
This unfortunate scenario doesn't have to happen at your next house party. By following a few simple tips, you can prevent the police from breaking up your next soirée.
Learning from past experiences has made Meredith Vacek take precautions when throwing parties at the Horror House, 13th and Tennessee streets. "We are very careful about the way we do our parties," Vacek says. "We've learned from the mistakes that other house venues have made in the past."
In the mistakes that other students have made, the Lawrence senior has been throwing parties for art shows, dance parties
Junior has been throwing parties for art shows, dance parties and rock shows at the Horror House since the beginning of the school year. Her parties have been largely successful through word-of-mouth promotion and each event has drawn a few hundred people.
Vacek says that she employs a doorman
and that she and her roommates require people to bring their own alcohol. This way they aren't held responsible for contributing to underage drinkers. Though she takes these precautions, she says she doesn't really worry about what may happen at her parties. Most people who attend her parties aren't coming to cause trouble.
Jason Rebacz, Deerfield, Ill., junior, regularly throws smaller parties and doesn't worry about the legality of his gatherings. "It's not possible to know what's going on all the time because you're going to have people come that you just don't know," Rebacz says "It's just too hard to control a large group like that."
Without regulating who comes to your party, many problems could arise such as loud noise and people puking in your house. But underage drinking could get you into bigger trouble than a crusty carpet stain. According to Kansas law, if you get caught drinking underage the maximum penalty for 18-to 20-year-olds is one month in jail, 40 hours of community service, a 30-day suspension of your license, and a $200 (or more) fine. For violators under 16, the penalties are the same except for a minimum $500 fine.
Sgt. Mike Pattrick of the Lawrence Police Department says officers don't usually come to parties with the sole purpose of breaking them up. Usually, there is some complaint involved. Typical complaints include excessive noise such as loud music and yelling; clogged roadways from inappropriate and illegal parking; and dirty streets and lawns from leftover party trash. Patrick suggests students read city ordinances before they throw a party, so they know what is and isn't legal. He says that if you keep the volume of a party down, police aren't likely to be called.
If you decide to serve alcohol at your party, beware of making people pay to drink it. If the police do come to a party on a noise complaint and have reason to enter the property, you must make sure that you've only asked for donations from your guests. If you're charging them, your party is considered an open saloon, and it's illegal. You must hold a license to sell alcohol or you will be fined. Also remember that you can't ask for money to buy the cup (instead of the bear) either. It's an open saloon because beer is going into that cup.
Instead of asking people to pay for beer, ask for donations, or ask your guests to pay for the entertainment. Whether it's a band or a DJ, most people won't hesitate to throw down a couple of bucks.After a night of donations you'll probably make your money back.
Elizabeth Marvel can be reached at emarvel@kansan.com
photo illustration: Abby Tillery
DO know the city's ordinances. This can prevent all kinds of problems with the police if you make sure you don't do anything obviously illegal.
Party dos and don'ts
DO get rid of people who are causing problems.
DO ask for donations for the party/band/DJ instead of making people pay for alcohol. If not, your party is an open saloon.
DO know your neighbors,and let them know ahead of time if you're going to throw a party.
DON'T make a ton of noise. The neighbors can easily pick up the phone and call the police.
DON'T tear the tag off of your keg. The ABC or Lawrence Police Department can fine you $250 to $500 if they confiscate it.
DON'T let underage people drink alcohol that can be traced back to you—like from the keg you purchased.
DON'T let the police enter your house without legal reason. They must see illegal activities happening or have a warrant to enter.
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