'Patty' wagon

Police prepare for unruly St. Patty's Day celebraters

University students will face an increase in police patrols during tonight's many St. Patrick's Day festivities.

Normally, 10 to 15 officers from the State College Police Department patrol downtown on a weekend night. However, there will be 45 tonight, said Lt. Thomas Hart of the State College police.

The increase will resemble last year's "Operation Lucky Charm," during which officers filed 64 criminal violations, Hart said.

"We are putting some plans together similar to last year's," Hart said.

State College police is coordinating its plans with Liquor Control Enforcement and will be using both uniformed and plain-clothes officers. There will also be a bike patrol, Hart said.

"We'll be looking for minors attempting to purchase and get into bars," Hart said. "We'll target people who abuse (alcohol) and come out into the streets intoxicated to the point of danger to themselves and other people and other people's property."

State College police decided to focus on last St. Patrick's Day after a series of alcohol-related fatalities occurred at an earlier time, Hart said.

The recent alcohol-related death of a University student had some bearing on this year's plans, Hart said. Alcohol was determined as a contributing factor in the Feb. 17 death of a University student, according to a State College police news release.

Some underage University students have not made any plans for St. Patrick's Day because of the police increase and the general lack of facilities open to them.

Player's Sports Bar, 112 W. College Ave., which holds an 18-and-over night every Tuesday, is planning a few festivities specifically for under-21 students.

One of the owners of Player's, Mike Desmond, considered changing the underage access night specifically for holiday business but decided against it.

"It wouldn't be too keen to change (the night) just to capitalize on the holiday," Desmond said. "We can do just as well or better."

Desmond added that the club will be visited by Scottish bag-pipers and will serve Mountain Dew instead of green beer. For those who still want to do keg stands, Player's will have kegs of root beer. He expects a crowd of about 400 to 500 patrons.

However, the accommodations aren't enough for Jillian Matz (freshman-journalism).

"When you aren't 21, you can't do anything," Matz said.

For minors who plan to enter bars with false IDs, Ray Rockey, manager of The Brewery, 233 E. Beaver Ave., said the doormen have made up to 75 busts. The doormen mark their "kills" with a large X on the ceiling.

For the unlucky students who are caught, they should know the doorman will do more than cut the fake ID into pieces, Rockey said.

"We call the cops and try to get them arrested," Rockey added.

For those that are of age, the Brewery will plan a night of five bands and about 12 hours of music, beginning at 2 p.m. The band members, their friends and others will be escorted by limousine, Rockey said. The ride is an annual St. Patrick's Day tradition at the Brewery, he said.