Policing parties helps keep Sundance sedate

PARK CITY — No matter how exclusive the party is, the doors to the club will always open to a man sporting a gun and a police badge.

The Sundance Film Festival is in full swing, and with it are the private parties and concerts. The Park City Police Department is also out in force to make sure the festival participants, filmmakers, fans, stargazers and celebrities party safely.

"Our big thing is we want to make sure everyone stays safe," said Park City Police Chief Wade Carpenter.

Saturday is the biggest party night of the festival, with all of the hospitality lounges hosting private events. The bars are also stuffed, and hot-spot clubs like Harry O's had people waiting in the streets to get in.

Young women in short skirts shivered in the cold as stars like Cuba Gooding Jr. and Tom Arnold were escorted in.

Anecdotally, officers here said this year's Sundance Film Festival has been more sedate. There have been noticeably fewer hospitality lounges and fewer people trudging up and down Main Street.

"I've worked Sundance for 11 years now and they have steadily grown since the first one — except for this year," said Park City Police Sgt. Darwin Little.

When you ask why, everyone blames the poor economy. But that's not to say those that are here aren't having a good time. The parties are in full swing and the police are out in force. Officers from other agencies have been drafted to help with traffic patrol, work security at film premieres and solve problems as they pop up.

As the night wears on, the incidents start climbing.

"Complainant advises there's a party and taxis are pulling into private driveways and keeping them awake," a dispatcher announced over the police radio.

On King Road, Little pulled up to a house where a private party was under way. Paris Hilton was reportedly there. Cars were parked all over the tiny street, making it difficult to maneuver. Little found the party's host, and minutes later people were heading to move their BMWs and SUVs.

"I told him if he doesn't move all these vehicles I'm going to have them towed," Little said as he left the party, headed to another call.

On Saturday, police had a pair of concerns. Hip-hop star Lil' Wayne was rumored to be in town for his film premiering at the Eccles Theatre. At a party at Harry O's, rapper T.I. was performing.

"I hear it's his last concert before he goes (to jail)," Little said.

Officers had concerns the shows would draw members of rival gangs, but Lil' Wayne was a no-show and T.I.'s concert was relatively quiet.

As he stands outside Harry O's, a doorman from outside one of the parties flags down officers. A woman is standing stoically outside without a coat on. She appears to be severely intoxicated, although she disputes that.