Halloween Continued from Page 1A events will be very fun.” McCrae stressed that many of these events have been planned regardless of what happened in the past. In 1996, what was supposed to be a small party turned into a nightmare for its hosts. “We were just having a small Halloween party with some of our close friends,” said party host Nygil Murrell (ODE, Nov. 4, 1996). “Then more people came and more people came — we did n’t invite that many.” Murrell said they tried to shut the party down early, but then more people were physically try ing to break into their house. Eugene Police Sgt. Dave Poppe said after the people out side the party were asked to dis perse, a few complied. But about 20 others shouted insults and threw bottles and rocks at the of ficers. After police requested rein forcements, the crowd finally dispersed. In 1997, police were forced to use tear gas to break up a crowd of about 300 people on Alder Street. On Nov. 3, 1997, the Emerald reported drunken party goers throwing bottles, tearing down light poles and ripping out stop signs in a riot. West University resident and student Daniel Smyth said he saw several fights take place, cars being rocked back and forth and people firing gunshots into the air. The problem began when the party hosts prevented more peo ple from entering their house. The crowd outside grew larger and proceeded to move north on Alder Street as a total of 40 offi cers used tear gas to disperse the crowd. Neighborhood resident Ryan Nelson, who witnessed the clash, said police should accept part of the blame for the evening. He said police used “general bully ing” and an “abuse of power” in order to control the situation. “I think it could have been handled a hell of a lot better,” Nelson said. Last year, another unruly crowd gathered after the Eugene Fire Department responded to a fire at Campus Quads on 16th Avenue and Alder Street. Police later responded to an illegal par ty on 15th Avenue and proceed ed to issue a handful of citations to intoxicated minors. The crowd on Alder Street swelled to approximately 100 people. Soon after, people began to throw rocks and bottles at the police officers. Twelve people were arrested, but only four were identified as University students. Some blamed the police. In a letter to the editor (ODE Nov. 4, 1998), University junior Matthew Rutman wrote: “In my opinion, a lot of the violent acts were in response to the presence and manner of the police at the scene.” Others blamed the media. In an Emerald article follow ing the riot (ODE Nov. 2, 1998), University Senate President Matt Olsen expressed his dis gust with the presence of televi sion crews before anything hap pened. “They’re just looking for sensa tional, cost-effective news,” Olsen said. But ultimately, members of the community blamed the volatile mix of alcohol and irresponsibili ty In a message to the irresponsi ble partygoers (ODE Nov. 13,1998), sociology major Arwen Maas-DeSpain expressed her anger as a mother and student. “You had the choice to be re sponsible,” Maas-DeSpain wrote. “Your actions precipitat ed the tear gas. That tear gas caused pain and suffering to people who didn’t choose to be involved.” During the evening’s rampage, Maas-DeSpain was walking home from Safeway with her Scott Barnett Emerald Students enjoy their evening across the street from the Campbell Club co-op moments before last year’s Halloween riot broke. baby on her back, downwind of the tear gas. “With my eyes, nose and throat burning, I ran in the oppo site direction,” Maas-DeSpain said. “Any moment I expected my baby to burst out screaming in pain.” Late-night clashes between stu dents and police are nothing new to college campuses across the country. In fact, when compared with other college towns, Eugene has escaped relatively unscathed. In 1998 at Ohio University, ap proximately 2,000 people clashed with police. In the same year at the University of Con necticut, 2,000 people turned a “Spring Weekend” party into a fight with police, and again at Michigan State University, a peaceful protest turned into a 3,GOO-person brawl between po lice and protesters. All of this happened within the span of two months. “This is not fun for anyone — students, the University, police,” Sgt. Gilliam said. “If something happens again, it’s a black eye on the University and the city of Eu gene.” 007814 Now Open iN The Rec Center FresIh Juices, Smoothes & Gourmet GoUee 546'UOO ThE "ReaI Squeeze" on campus (We Accept Competitor's Coupons) JET Program Japan Exchange and Teaching Program Every year the Japanese government invites young people from the U.S. to participate in this unique program, to serve as Assistant Language Teachers or Coordinators for International Relations. Benefits include round-trip airfare, great salary, paid vacation, subsidized housing and a professional work environment. Applicants must: • Have U.S. citizenship • Hold a Bachelor’s Degree byjuly 2000 Representatives for the Consulate-General of Japan will be at the University of Oregon for an informational orientation: November 2.1999 • 12:00-1:00 pm • EMU. Rogue Room. For an application or more information call 1-800-info-jet or the General Consulate of Japan in Portland at (503) 221-1811. 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