The warnings are over: police crack down hard on Heights parties

In what seems like a yearly ritual, the Buffalo Police have busted a rising number of parties in University Heights the past few weeks, and UB officials say more is in store for students who don't keep their parties legal and quiet.

This weekend alone, 10 UB students were arrested in the most recent crackdown by Buffalo Police in the Heights. Six students were charged with selling alcoholic beverages to minors when officers broke up several off-campus house parties where crowds ranged from 10 people to more than 200, according to authorities.

Buffalo Police said they would conduct similar operations throughout the school year, targeting parties where there are door charges and alcohol is sold to minors.

"The residents of the Heights area are a little upset with the students and the way they party, and we're trying to crack down on the quality of life issues in the district," said Mark Antonio, Buffalo chief of police for the C and E districts that include the Heights. "If there are large parties, arrests will be made."

People that charge at the door of their parties are technically running a speak-easy, according to Antonio, and the police can actually confiscate the proceeds, the resident's stereo system, or anything to put them out of commission.

"We may start doing that if we get persistent violators at the same addresses," he said.

Antonio said that when party hosts charge students at the door, it implies the illegal sale of liquor without a license. And even if they aren't charging at the door, most parties violate the state's alcoholic beverage control laws for distributing alcohol to minors.

Students attending or hosting these parties run the risk of getting arrested by the Buffalo Police as well as facing disciplinary action from the university, according to Dennis Black, vice president for student affairs.

"We get the police reports from the city of Buffalo after an arrest is made, and that gives us information so we can then judge if the incident was in violation of the university rules and regulations," said Black.

The hosts of these parties run the biggest risk when it comes to repercussions.

"The big prize-winners are those that serve alcohol to minors or people who are already intoxicated," said Black. "They're automatically suspended from UB. It's one thing to have problems with alcohol, but it's completely another thing to put others at risk. These situations result in the student's immediate suspension from UB."

Some students have already been suspended this year, according to Black, and the suspensions will continue as long as the behavior does.

Many students say the risks won't affect their decision to go parties around South Campus.

Jenny Kubicki, a freshman environmental design major, said weekend parties are a classic part of college life.

"Kids should respect their neighbors, but it shouldn't surprise the community that they're having parties," Kubicki said. "It's not like we're killing anyone. Let 'em party, it's college."

Csilla Jara, a junior psychology major, said there should be an area in the Heights designated for fraternities, a suggestion that may help to alleviate the tension between college students and other community members.

"Frat houses should not be in residential areas. They just can't control themselves when it comes to the parties," Jara said. "We're older and we should be able to, but we can't. It's ridiculous."

Mike Schmitz, a sophomore media studies major, said that while he does frequent the parties around South Campus, students should exercise respect for the residents of the area.

"I go to parties on the weekends too, but I treat the Heights with the certain amount of respect that it deserves," Schmitz said. "There's a certain amount of respect that needs to be warranted for both sides, both the residents and the party-goers. Mostly, the students should be more responsible. We're becoming adults now, and as adults we should treat other people and their property with respect."

Black said that's the crux of the issue here - students displaying blatant disrespect for the other people living in the Heights.

"It shouldn't be a surprise that every year, the residents and the police lose patience after a couple of weeks and respond," Black said. "My letter (in the Spectrum) last week was because I was losing patience. Obviously, the city and police have lost patience as well."

Antonio agreed and said that until the problem is resolved, the police will continue to respond.

"They basically act like animals," Antonio said. "We were all kids once, but we didn't act like animals. I wouldn't want to live on a street where kids are urinating and breaking bottles on my front lawn and yelling obscenities in the middle of the night."