POLL: Landlords Could be Responsible for 'College Fest 2' Emergency Response

Richard Martinez, a sophomore student, didn't go to "College Fest" last weekend.

And he's not planning to attend "" this weekend.

But he will be cleaning up the leftover smashed cans and broken glass strewn about the street afterward if the unsanctioned block party happens.

Martinez and fellow Kent State student Jacob Ruby are organizing the "College St. Clean-Up" starting at noon Sunday to pick up trash and debris expected to be left behind if the 3,000 people who say they're planning to attend the party actually show.

Martinez said he and Ruby were talking about how the unsanctioned end of-the-year block party gets out of hand when the topic of trash came up.

"Jake said he was going to bring a bunch of trash bags Sunday morning and start picking up all the trash, and I said how cool it would be if a bunch of people came and helped out," Martinez said. "So, I made a Facebook event out of it and we soon realized just how mutual this feeling was when the attendees quickly increased well past our expectations."

As of Friday morning, 144 people said they planned to take part in the after-party cleaning with another 37 people saying they might attend.

Martinez said he would like to donate the recycling revenue from the bottles and cans to a local charity if they can figure out a way to do so.

The sophomore communication studies major attended since kindergarten and calls the Tree City home, so he wants it to keep its lush green, attractive look.

"My city is important to me, so I'm happy to play a part in this service for my community and I appreciate the interest and enthusiasm everyone has for this event," Martinez said. "It pleases me to know there are so many people in this city alone who actually want to be a part of this cause because it takes some of the spotlight away from College Fest itself and shines it on a more admirable tradition."

Landlords responsible?

Kent Police Chief Michelle Lee issued a statement Thursday advising residents that the police department is preparing for another round of parties this weekend after a Facebook page was set up for "College Fest 2012 #2."

As of Friday morning, 2,370 people planned to attend, according to the page.

In the statement, the police chief said the city's law director has taken steps to notify College Street property owners that any law enforcement response to their properties "could be their financial burden to bear."

Lee cited chapter 561 of the Kent Codified Ordinances under "Criminal Activity Nuisances."

The code section states that if two or more nuisance activities, as defined in the chapter, occur at the same address within a six-month period, then the property is declared a nuisance property and the owner is advised.

"The notice and order shall set forth the nature of the nuisances, the estimated costs to abate any future nuisance, and state that the owner may avoid being charged the costs of abatement by taking steps to prevent any further nuisance activity as set forth in this chapter," the code reads. "The notice shall further state that if a third or subsequent nuisance activity as declared in this Section occurs within six months of the dates of the earlier of first two activities, the city may abate the nuisance by responding to the activities using administrative and law enforcement actions, and the costs of such abatement shall be assessed on the nuisance property."

The emergency cost for Kent police and fire to respond to last weekend's events was about $12,000. The was estimated at $26,000.

Lee said the police department is committed to protecting "the life and liberty of its residents" and is prepared to combat any disruptive gatherings.

"I want to reassure the community that their police department is prepared to prevent nuisance and criminal activity and take enforcement action when necessary," Lee said. "This is the core mission and purpose of law enforcement; to protect our citizens."