Throughout the fall, the Iowa City Police Department will conduct proactive patrols aimed at spotting apartment and house parties that are disrupting neighborhoods or getting out of control.

An online guide from the Partnership for Alcohol Safety (PAS) can help hosts and guests make parties safer and avoid legal trouble. The intent isn’t to ruin anybody’s good time, say PAS members, but to prevent problems that happen when parties get too big and guests drink too much.

“We want people to stay safe while having fun,” says Kelly Bender, campus-community harm reduction initiatives coordinator at the University of Iowa. “If you’re thinking about hosting or attending a party, there are things you can do to ensure no one gets arrested, everyone stays safe, and neighbors or landlords don’t get upset.

The PAS guide includes information about party patrols, potential fines and consequences for hosts and guests, tips for avoiding problems, and other resources.

Problems tend to start when guests drink too much, hosts illegally charge a cover or let minors drink, and parties get too loud or spill outside.

Hosts should inform neighbors about party plans and invite only as many guests as they can accommodate. Guests should establish an exit plan, setting a time to leave and sticking with friends.

Fines associated with parties include $330 for first-offense underage possession of alcohol, as much as $625 for disorderly house, $1,000 for selling alcohol (or charging cover) without a license, and $500-1,000 for providing alcohol to minors.

With members from the university, the City of Iowa City, and local businesses, PAS identifies and advocates for strategies that reduce high-risk drinking and promote a vibrant downtown. Click here for more information.