The DeKalb Police Department is busy preparing for the return of NIU students.

Anticipating big parties tonight, Friday and Saturday nights, police will have an increased presence in the Greek Row area, primarily Greenbrier Road; the area of John Street and College Avenue; and on Hillcrest Drive, west of Annie Glidden Road.

Six to eight officers will supplement the regular shift in the area, Patrol Commander Lt. Carl Leoni said.

“Officers will be there primarily for enforcement of order,” Lt. Jim Kayes said. “Historically that weekend has been real busy on Greek Row – a giant block party.”

Kayes said he expects a lot of people from out of town to be in the area for the weekend.

He warned that people in the streets who are in possession of open containers of alcohol and those who are underage and drinking will be arrested.

Those arrested can face a possible penalty of $150 to $500 in fines, Kayes added.

The Open Container Law, a DeKalb city ordinance, forbids anyone from having open liquor in a public way – this includes sidewalks, parkways and streets.

“Along with drinking comes the tendency to not use common sense and to misbehave, which is why we like to really hit it hard the first few weekends,” Leoni said.

“What I foresee is kids drinking, partying and getting arrested,” Leoni added. “If I have to pull officers from other parts of town I will do that.”

Last year there were 42 arrests during move-in weekend in the Greek area. The year before there were 37 arrests.

Today and Friday, police will distribute pamphlets explaining the city’s liquor ordinances to houses on Greek Row, Leoni said.