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Being a Good
Neighbor
So You Are Going To
Have A Party…
These tips might sound
like a lot to think about before you have a party. It
really helps to plan ahead.
There are many ways to
celebrate that do not involve the use of alcohol. If you
choose to serve alcohol be sure that you serve to people 21
years of age and older. Have plenty of food available.
Don’t be afraid to slow or stop someone’s drinking if you
think they may be getting out of control.
Talk to your neighbors
before you have your party. Let them know
what you plan in terms of size, hours, and types of music.
Let them know who they can contact if they have any
problems. One of the major reasons for a police visit to
your party is because a neighbor called in a noise
complaint. Remember the more guests you have, the more
responsibility you take on.
End your party at a
reasonable time. Keep the party indoors with the windows
closed if you know things will be loud.
Keep the size of your
gathering to a reasonable size. Know who your guests are so
you do not end up having 300 people showing up saying that a
friend of a friend invited them. If your party spills
outside of your apartment or house you can expect that the
police may pay you a visit. Someone may have complained
about the noise or guests trespassing on others’ property.
A “come-one-come-all party” invites more than unwanted
guests; it can invite trouble. It is in your best interest
to know who will be attending your party. Unwanted guests,
especially unwanted guests who are resistant when they have
been asked to leave, can be a major problem. If you have
guests who will not leave, be proactive and call the police
for assistance.
The police can break up
your party if they believe alcohol is being sold or consumed
by minors. Remember you can be held responsible for the
actions of your guests.
Your house or apartment
is designed to accommodate a certain number of people. Keep
the size of your gathering in line with the capacity of your
home.
Be cooperative with any
neighbor, police, or other concerned person who might come
by during your party to discuss a problem. Being
cooperative will keep the problem from escalating to a
higher level of response.
Clean up after your
party. Your neighbors will be more receptive to your next
gathering if you clean up after your guests immediately
after the party.
Pace Yourself! Know
When To Stop!
If You Choose To
Drink…
Avoid drinking games.
Drink on a full stomach.
Provide food and
nonalcoholic drinks for your guests.
Avoid drinks with
unknown contents. Don’t let others handle your drink and do
not leave it unattended.
Do not mix alcohol with
prescription or nonprescription drugs.
Arrange for designated
drivers. Do not let your friends drive under the influence.
Responsible drinking is
not drinking at all if you are going to drive or consuming
no more than one drink per hour (e.g. one 12 oz. beer, one 4
oz. glass of wine, on mixed drink or one shot).
If Someone You Know
Drinks Too Much…
Don’t leave an
intoxicated person alone. Turn them onto their side to
prevent choking or vomiting.
Do not help them walk
or “sleep it off”. If the person cannot be awakened they
need medical attention.
Don’t try to give the
person food or beverages, (including water or coffee) this
could cause the person to choke.
Focus on your friend’s
health and safety.
EMERGENCY
If Things Get Out Of
Control
Don’t wait for someone
else to call the police. If your guests or uninvited guests
won’t pay attention to your requests to leave or obey the
law, don’t wait for things to get out of control. Consider
calling the police for help. The police will view your
taking action to keep things under control as a good
preventative action on your part. Remember your friends and
housemates want to have a fun and safe gathering, so don’t
be afraid to ask for help.
If the police do show
up at your house they are more than likely responding to a
complaint. Make sure that the person who talks to the
police is sober and able to respond to requests. It is
always a good idea to have one social host who stays sober
during the event. Be cooperative and do as much as possible
to comply with what the police are asking you to do.
Should you be convicted
of a felony (for instance, rioting), the felony record may
stay with you for the rest of your life. You can expect to
have to explain it in a job interview, on school
applications, loan applications, and it could keep you from
obtaining certain jobs or being admitted to graduate and
professional schools.
Interfering with a
police officer can make a bad situation worse. Also, do not
physically resist the police under any circumstances. Use
common sense and cooperate. Understand that you can be
arrested. When the police ask you to clear the area, leave
right away. If you stay around after the warning you may be
cited for interfering with a police officer. If the police
warn that they are going to use tear gas, you need to get as
far away as possible as fast as you can.
If things are clearly
out of control and people are engaged in tumultuous and
violent conduct (i.e., picking up rocks and throwing them),
and thereby intentionally or recklessly creating a grave
risk of causing public alarm, the police my issue a “Notice
to Disperse” or ask people to clear an area. It is
important that everyone realizes that this is a directive
issued by law enforcement personnel in the performance of
their duties in an emergency situation. While you may see
yourself as an innocent bystander, your presence alone
contributes to the crowd the police are trying to disperse.
In these situations it is never a good idea to join a large
crowd even as an observer. Your own safety is at risk if
you remain after being asked to leave the area.
Rapid Consumption of
Alcohol Can Be Life Threatening
If Someone Has Any
Of These Symptoms:
Unconscious or
semiconscious
Cannot be awakened
Has cold, clammy bluish
skin
Their breathing is slow
or irregular
Their breathing rate is
less that 10-12 times a minute
They vomit while
sleeping or passed out
They do not wake up
after vomiting
CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY
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