State College Borough and Penn State are again working together to mitigate the problems that have become associated with a student-created drinking “holiday” over the past 15 years.
State Patty’s Day typically takes place the weekend between THON and the university’s spring break. This year is expected to be no exception, with the informal event happening on Saturday.
Crime and emergency calls have dramatically declined since reaching an infamous peak in 2011, and borough and university officials this week issued what have become customary warnings and pleas for responsible behavior.
State College, Penn State and state police will “maintain a robust law enforcement presence throughout the weekend,” with uniformed and plain-clothes officers focused on liquor law enforcement in residence halls on campus and in rental properties in surrounding neighborhoods, according to a joint university and borough statement.
Borough Manager Tom Fountaine and Penn State Vice President for Student Affairs Damon Sims sent a letter to State College Tavern Owners Association members on Monday asking again that they help “impede the negative excesses” associated with State Patty’s Day.
“For many years, this annual occurrence has produced more problematic behavior in our community than any other event, despite the many good efforts of student, University, and Borough leaders to mitigate against the resulting harm,” Sims said in a statement. “I remain optimistic that better sense will prevail and that we will continue to see the excesses State Patty’s Day engenders fade away.”
A letter from State College Police Chief John Gardner, Penn State Police Chief Jason Zajac and Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Danny Shaha, meanwhile, asked borough residents to not have guests at their apartments and houses this weekend and reminded tenants that they can be charged if individuals under age 21 are consuming alcohol at their residences.
It also asked residents to continue to take precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. A borough ordinance requires masks to be worn in all buildings open to the public and university policy requires masks in all Penn State buildings.
“The Borough of State College continues to work in ensuring our community is safe and livable, however, actions like dangerous drinking and social gatherings during a pandemic only puts our community at risk,” Fountaine said in a statement. “Everyone in this community has a role to play in keeping our community safe and stopping the spread of the pandemic. We ask that you respect and care for your neighbors and do not participate in this dangerous event. One weekend is not worth putting yourself or others in danger.”
Fraternities and sororities will not be holding social events and university residence halls will not permit guests this weekend. As in past years, many property managers will have extra staff on hand to report issues to the police.
State Patty’s Day 2021 saw the lowest crime totals on record for the weekend in nearly every category, with a total of 102 reported crimes or ordinance violations and 36 arrests.
Those numbers marked a continuing decline (save for a brief spike in 2016) from what is regarded as the worst State Patty’s Day weekend in 2011, when police received 381 crime reports and made 309 arrests or citations.
