One major difference fest-goers can expect to notice this upcoming season is a much stricter enforcement of the nuisance party ordinance.
At a press conference discussing plans for the spring fest season, which will begin this weekend, local law enforcement outlined its plans for handling the events.
“This year, the biggest change in policing philosophy will be the strong emphasis on the nuisance party enforcement, which is something that has been used sparingly in the past but is something we started (strictly enforcing) in the fall when school started,” Athens Police Chief Tom Pyle said. “There is potential to have pretty significant impact on how these fests present themselves through the evening.”
He said one of the bigger things officers would be looking for are people throwing beer bottles or cans from their front porches or roofs onto the street.
“Without question, if we see someone launch a beer bottle into the street or into a crowd, that house party will get shut down almost immediately,” Pyle said.
Mayor Paul Wiehl said those who attend the fests from out of town must be aware they will still receive as harsh of a penalty for breaking the law.
“The laws of the land don’t change if someone is coming down from Kent or OSU,” Wiehl said. “If they’re doing illegal activities, it’s not a different place — it’s all still Ohio.”
While many have blamed out-of-town guests for the problems caused during fest season, both Pyle and Ohio University Police Chief Andrew Powers said it comes down to those hosting parties to make sure things are safe.
“You don’t want to let that party get out of control because ultimately, you’re still responsible at the end of the day for that,” Powers said.
One of the things often overlooked by party hosts is the liability they are assuming, Pyle said.
“I hate to say it, but there have been people killed at these fests,” Pyle said. “We had two people die in a house fire at the end of a night at a High Fest event several years ago, and we’ve had several people with serious injuries, such as multiple people who had their eyes put out with strong water balloon launchers. People were sued as a result.”
Powers added that a civil liability could extend to serving people who are underage then drive while intoxicated and get into an accident, which can potentially be brought back to those who served them at a party.
“There is a rather large liability and risk with hosting this kind of event, and it often gets overlooked until it’s too late,” Pyle said.
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