Green Bay police bust underage drinking party

GREEN BAY - Green Bay Police issued 59 citations at an underage drinking party held Saturday night on the city's east side. Police say it wasn't quick work either--as the people at the home refused to answer the door.

Police obtained a search warrant for the home at 326 North Van Buren Street just after 2 a.m. Shortly after, police had to force their way inside the house.

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay senior Matt Bahlow and his roommates live at the home and were throwing a party.

“Just end of the year, celebrating the end of the semester,” said Bahlow. “We were 21. We wanted to keep it that way, but obviously it just got a little out our control.”

A patrolling officer noticed the party.

“They were relatively certain there was underage drinking occurring inside,” said Green Bay Police Officer Joe Hoyer who was not on duty at the time of the incident, but was able to explain the situation to FOX 11. “Apparently they were told they didn't have permission to enter so they held the place, got a warrant and then made entry.”

Neighbors didn't want to talk to FOX 11 on camera, but they said there had been parties before at the home. They counted at least seven squad cars lining the street on the night of the underage bust.

“There is just so many bad things that can happen when you combine alcohol and underage persons,” said Hoyer.

Hoyer says the number of citations was large compared to other underage busts.

“Typically it would be somewhat less than that, in the 15 to 20 range, so 59 was a big deal,” said Hoyer.

Bahlow says he initially wasn't aware police tried to get inside the home. He believes one of his roommates kept them out. Bahlow says he understands the police's actions, but also thinks they might have blown the situation out of proportion.

“They were definitely aggressive and probably did some things I wouldn't expect like an officer coming into a party to do, but I guess they don't know how drunk someone is or what someone is going to do so I can't really blame them for that,” said Bahlow.

Bahlow doesn't know how many people were at the party, but estimates as many legal drinkers as underaged. He says if he learned anything from the post-semester celebration, it's that he won't be having anymore parties.

The citations issued were mostly for underage drinking.