Homecoming festivities lead to TPD citations for 23 members

Twenty-three UA students involved with Sigma Chi fraternity and Gamma Phi Beta sorority were cited for underage drinking at a local cafˇ on Nov. 6.

The sorority and fraternity planned a homecoming party at Olive R Twist, 5305 E. Speedway Blvd., for the evening. Members of the sorority and fraternity were supposed to present identification at the door showing they were 21 or older to receive a wristband that would allow them to drink alcohol.

Olive R Twist owner Tony Erickson said he had given wristbands to 76 students who were 21 or older and had legal identification. Approximately 120 people attended the party at the cafˇ, Tucson Police Department reports stated.

TPD officers followed busloads of students to the cafˇ, then entered and asked those wearing wristbands to show identification affirming they were old enough to drink, according to TPD reports.

People wearing wristbands who could not show identification to prove that they were 21 years old were sent to take a breath analysis test for alcohol.

As students cleared out of the bar, a pile of approximately 50 torn-off wristbands lying on the floor became evident, TPD reports stated.

Those who were cited - mostly freshmen and sophomores - were allowed to leave on the buses they arrived on with an order to appear in court.

The court date was Nov. 11., and students cited for possessing alcohol as minors were given the choice between a $500 fine or diversion classes plus a $180 fee, said Laura Lemke, a sophomore in Gamma Phi Beta, who was cited.

Fraternity and sorority members refused to comment on whether the greek organizations took any action against the students cited.

Sigma Chi Homecoming Chair Joseph Thornhill said he did not know how people under age 21 got alcohol at the cafˇ. Thornhill said the employees watching the door at Olive R Twist were giving bracelets only to those 21 or older, which Erickson confirmmed.

Thornhill said many students likely used fake identification, but Tucson police officers found only two fake identification cards that night. Thornhill also said he was doing homework at the cafˇ during the night of the party.

"I was only there because the owner had asked me to come down," Thornhill said. However, Thornhill was one of the students cited for possessing alcohol as a minor.

Lemke said police reports did not tell the whole story.

Approximately five minutes after Lemke arrived at the cafˇ with a friend, police arrived and asked everyone whether they were under 21 and had been drinking at the cafˇ. Lemke said no, though she had been drinking elsewhere before she arrived.

She said two police officers then monitored everyone as they filed out of the cafˇ, and that those going out one door all received breath analysis tests while those going out the other were released without questioning or tests.

Lemke said police actions were pointless.

"I am so bitter about the whole thing," she said. "I feel like in my situation there was absolutely no reason to get me in trouble, because I was not causing trouble to anyone or anything except myself and my own liver, and that's my deal."