On Tuesday evening, February 8, 2005, several Portland Area restaurants and bars will host “Fat Tuesday” parties. Historically, these parties have drawn an increasingly large number of citizens into Downtown Portland. In prior years, Portland Police Officers have had to break up numerous fights and received a number of complaints from women—especially teenage women—stating that they have been touched inappropriately. Chief Derrick Foxworth states, “not only is this activity inappropriate, it is also criminal.”

Last year, officers took more than a dozen minors into custody for violation of the City’s Curfew Ordinance, transported approximately 15 people to Hooper Detox Center, arrested 15 people for a variety of minor charges such as Disorderly Conduct, arrested 13 individuals for Driving under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII), and issued more than 40 traffic citations.

This year, Portland Police will have a substantial and visible presence in Downtown Portland throughout the evening. Portland Police will be partnering with the representatives from the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) to conduct special DUII enforcement missions. Police are cautioning participants to enjoy themselves, but be aware of problems associated with being intoxicated, have designated drivers, and if a minor, be cautious due to the fact that in previous years, teenage women were especially targeted for inappropriate physical contact.