The State College Police Department released a statement on Tuesday regarding the upcoming annual State Patty’s Day festivities, as it results in “more crime, more criminal arrests, and more alcohol overdoses than a typical winter weekend.”

State Patty’s Day is slated for Saturday, February 24, and State College Police are working closely with local and university police departments to maintain a strong police presence throughout the weekend. Every officer, both undercover and in uniform, around downtown State College and surrounding areas will be patrolling for violations of the law such as underage drinking, open containers, vandalism, fights, and noise complaints, among others.

The department will also partner with Penn State’s Office of Student Conduct (OSC) to ensure disorderly conduct, underage drinking, public drunkenness, distribution of alcohol to minors, and unruly parties are kept at a minimum. The OSC code of conduct applies to both on-campus and off-campus residents, enforcing appropriate disciplinary actions with those cited or arrested for violations of the law.

The State College Police Department requested that the community assist them in ensuring a safe and calm weekend by limiting the number of guests in residences, preventing guests from being disruptive from balconies, and prohibiting anyone below the legal drinking age of 21 from consuming or buying alcohol. The police also suggest limiting the amount of alcohol at parties, keeping music and excessive noise to a minimum, and disposing of trash properly, as any offense could result in violations, arrests, and getting reported to the university.

“We are advising you of these concerns now, with hopes that you will refrain from engaging in behaviors that violate the law or University policy, restrict visitors to your apartment or homes this weekend, and join your friends and neighbors in helping maintain a safe and peaceful atmosphere throughout the weekend,” the statement read.

Penn State’s Responsible Action Protocol and Pennsylvania’s Medical Amnesty Law will protect students from prosecution if they call for help about a person who is passed out, unconscious, or unresponsive as the result of over-consumption.