Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Police raid of underage party in Newark designed to send message

Delaware Public Media
A police raid at this hosue in Newark resulted in 174 arrests for underage drinking

 

Newark police say they were sending a message when they cited nearly 180 people over the weekend for underage drinking at a house party near University of Delaware.

Lieutenant Bill Hargrove of the Newark Police Department said his agency sees students dying or being injured every semester by over-consuming alcohol.  

“Just as recently as this past Spring we had a 20-year-old student from another university who was here visiting fall off a roof during a party and end up dying,” Hargrove said.

He said this weekend’s raid was designed to curb large parties and irresponsible drinking around campus.  

The Newark Police Department planned the raid well in advance of Saturday afternoon and had help from the University of Delaware Police Department, Middletown Police Department, Delaware State Police and the Delaware Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement agency. The specific party was chosen on Saturday after police received multiple noise complaints.   

During the raid, 174 people at the party were cited for underage consumption of alcohol. People over the age of 21 were allowed to leave.

 

Police estimate more than 200 people were at the party, which took place at 3-bedroom house with one bathroom. It was hosted by a fraternity that has no affiliation with University of Delaware.

 

Police found one college-age man unconscious and unresponsive at the party. He was rushed to a Christiana Hospital emergency room, treated and released.

 

Hargrove said these types of alcohol-related incidents are what the raid is trying to prevent by making an example of the three party hosts. 

The hosts, who are also too young to drink, are expected to be charged this week with 174 counts of providing alcohol to minors.

After the first violation, each count carries a fine up to $1,000 and 60 days in jail.

 

Hargrove expects the hosts to pay some serious fines, but he thinks they'll most likely avoid jail time.  

 

Related Content