Nine Arrested at St. Patrick's Day Block Party Near University of Oregon

Large gathering of college students leads to charges including criminal trespass, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 8:36am

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A large block party on 14th Avenue in Eugene, Oregon celebrating the upcoming St. Patrick's Day holiday ended with nine arrests, according to the Eugene Police Department. The party, which drew an estimated 1,000 to 1,500 college-age students, resulted in reports of public intoxication, disputes between partiers and residents, and intoxicated pedestrians in traffic.

Why it matters

The annual St. Patrick's Day block party near the University of Oregon campus is a long-standing tradition, but this year's event highlights ongoing challenges for law enforcement in managing large gatherings of intoxicated college students and the potential for public safety issues.

The details

Eugene Police Department officers, along with University of Oregon police and crisis response teams, attempted to manage the crowds as 'intoxication levels became more evident.' There were reports of public urination, disputes between partiers and residents, and intoxicated pedestrians in traffic. A medical response was required for a man who fell and hit his head. During dispersal orders, police arrested three individuals on charges including criminal trespass, disorderly conduct, interfering with police, open container, resisting arrest, and providing false information. Six more arrests were made at a house on 14th Avenue that police said was the 'greatest source of activity,' with those individuals charged with prohibited noise and cited for an unruly gathering.

  • The block party took place on Saturday, March 15, 2026.
  • Police originally responded to the event around 1:30 p.m.
  • After 5 p.m., the Crisis Negotiation Team began ordering attendees out of the roadway.

The players

Eugene Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the block party and made the arrests.

University of Oregon

The nearby university whose students were the primary attendees of the annual St. Patrick's Day block party.

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What’s next

The University of Oregon has not yet commented on the incident, and it is unclear if the school will take any disciplinary action against students involved. The Eugene Police Department may also review its protocols for managing large, intoxicated crowds at future events.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges for law enforcement and universities in balancing the desire for students to celebrate holidays like St. Patrick's Day with the need to maintain public safety and order in residential neighborhoods near college campuses.