Several public parks in Normal have been trashed in recent weeks following large, disruptive parties as students have returned to campus.
Town staff confirmed five “problematic situations” at its parks since Aug. 15. The parties have been at Ironwood, Anderson, Underwood and Maxwell parks.
Brad Park, community resources officer with the Normal Police Department, said the party hosts have had the proper town and police permits, but they violated rules by allowing the use of alcohol and drugs.
“With the alcohol and the gathering size and the drug use, that’s violating the town’s ordinance for the parks,” Park said. “We also want to make sure when there’s large crowds and there’s alcohol involved, we want to make sure everyone is safe while being there.”
Park said many violators also have parked in areas deemed off limits.
“With more cars than there was parking, it did get the attention of the residents in the area and made us aware of it,” Park said.
Normal Police Chief Steve Petrilli said these oversized parties are a drain on town resources.
“There’s been some large messes that had to be cleaned up post these gatherings,” Petrilli said. “From our standpoint, it’s a significant commitment of manpower to be able to go in and safely disperse large groups and that takes away from our ability to be in other places and respond to other calls.”
Police said the large gatherings have involved mostly college students, and sometimes, student organizations.
A spokesperson for Illinois State University said party organizers are not affiliated with the university, adding administrators have talked with NPD about the get-togethers.
“The Dean of Students Office reviews police reports for potential code of student conduct violations and takes action, as warranted. Conversations have occurred with Normal Police regarding large gatherings in local parks,” ISU's director of media relations Chris Coplan said in an email.
The town's director of communications, Cathy Oloffson, described the events as “pop-up parties” being promoted through personal social media networks. She said an unspecified number of ordinance violations have been issued.
“All are prepared to work collaboratively to address disruptive off-campus behavior of students, as warranted,” Oloffson said.
Park said the police department could reject park shelter and permit requests in the future for repeat violators, but has not denied any permits at this point.
