Warnings Issued to Binghamton Student Party Sites
The city of Binghamton is putting students and property owners on notice that large gatherings won't be permitted in potentially dangerous spaces.
Mayor Jared Kraham said formal warnings have been issued after fire department officials observed illegal parties at a couple of downtown spots.
He said the fire department responded to an alarm at 162 Court Street late Thursday night. There are apartments on the upper floors of the four-story building.
Kraham told WNBF News firefighters found "a giant student party" was underway in the basement. He said they discovered there was no fire in the building. It turned out the alarm was triggered by a fog machine that was in use at the party.
On Friday, Fire Marshal Arthur Griswold posted an "Official Fire & Life-Safety Notice" on the building warning that "parties are prohibited." The notice stated the basement is not authorized for use as a party, gathering or assembly space.
Griswold issued a similar warning August 18 for a basement tenant space in the Stephens Square Building at 81 State Street after a large student party was held there.
Kraham said "we're taking a very, very harsh stance" on parties being held in unsafe places. He said the warnings are intended to be "proactive" and not punitive. He said it's a "student safety issue."
The mayor said he understands "there's going to be underage drinking with a student population." He said "that will never go away but we can . . . make sure that's not being done in spaces that are not suitable for mass gatherings or assemblies."
Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com.
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