Mckinney Courier-gazette > News
Authorities thwart Collin County 'Project X' party
By Dan Eakin, deakin@starlocalnews.com
A party inspired by the recently released movie "Project X" would have taken place earlier this month in Collin County if not for the Collin County Sheriff's Department and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
Lt. John Norton of the Collin County Sheriff's Office said the sheriff's office received tips from two separate sources that a Project X party was to take place Friday night, March 9, at a vacant home located at 5596 County Road 163, northwest of McKinney.
Norton said the party had been highly promoted on social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Craig's List.
He said about 400 people, including at least 100 juveniles, would have attended the party except that they were greeted by deputies who had set up at a house next door. The deputies had come in six unmarked cars that were stationed next door. Norton said most who arrived thought the party was at that house because of the cars parked out front.
Those who arrived with the intention of partying were turned away, and 14 juveniles were cited for minor in possession of alcohol or possession of drug paraphernalia, Norton said.
According to a TABC release, deputies made more than one hundred contacts with youth that night and estimated that well over 400 youth were in the neighborhood to attend the party.
Deputies made contact with a vehicle where they found and removed a 17-year-old female from what could have been a potentially dangerous situation. They discovered her unclothed, legally intoxicated with a blood alcohol content (BAC) level of 0.193, and with five males, according to the release. She was unharmed and later released to her parents.
"By being proactive and preventing the party from occurring, there were no injuries, loss or damage to property in the neighborhood," Norton said.
As of late this week, the person or persons who planned to host the party had not yet been identified. Norton said the sheriff's department contacted the owner last week, and the owner stated that no one had permission to be on the property, except deputies, and that the property is for sale, not in foreclosure.
The planned Project X party would have been one of many throughout Texas and the nation inspired by the movie, "Project X," which is playing at theaters across the country.
Several people have been injured at such parties, and one teenager was shot to death at a recent Project X party in Houston. Gunfire reportedly erupted from several sources at that party.
The movie is about three high school seniors who attempt to make names for themselves by throwing a house party while one's parents are out of town.
A promo for the movie states: "As word spreads, the party takes on a life of its own and before the night is over, dreams are ruined, records are blemished and legends are born."
Warner Brothers, the distributor of the Project X movie has issued the following statement:
"These incidents are deplorable and it goes without saying that Project X is a fictional movie and that Warner Brothers does not condone -- and strongly discourages -- anyone from attempting to imitate conduct portrayed by actors in a controlled environment during the filming of a motion picture."
Lt. John Norton of the Collin County Sheriff's Office said the sheriff's office received tips from two separate sources that a Project X party was to take place Friday night, March 9, at a vacant home located at 5596 County Road 163, northwest of McKinney.
Norton said the party had been highly promoted on social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Craig's List.
He said about 400 people, including at least 100 juveniles, would have attended the party except that they were greeted by deputies who had set up at a house next door. The deputies had come in six unmarked cars that were stationed next door. Norton said most who arrived thought the party was at that house because of the cars parked out front.
Those who arrived with the intention of partying were turned away, and 14 juveniles were cited for minor in possession of alcohol or possession of drug paraphernalia, Norton said.
According to a TABC release, deputies made more than one hundred contacts with youth that night and estimated that well over 400 youth were in the neighborhood to attend the party.
Deputies made contact with a vehicle where they found and removed a 17-year-old female from what could have been a potentially dangerous situation. They discovered her unclothed, legally intoxicated with a blood alcohol content (BAC) level of 0.193, and with five males, according to the release. She was unharmed and later released to her parents.
"By being proactive and preventing the party from occurring, there were no injuries, loss or damage to property in the neighborhood," Norton said.
As of late this week, the person or persons who planned to host the party had not yet been identified. Norton said the sheriff's department contacted the owner last week, and the owner stated that no one had permission to be on the property, except deputies, and that the property is for sale, not in foreclosure.
The planned Project X party would have been one of many throughout Texas and the nation inspired by the movie, "Project X," which is playing at theaters across the country.
Several people have been injured at such parties, and one teenager was shot to death at a recent Project X party in Houston. Gunfire reportedly erupted from several sources at that party.
The movie is about three high school seniors who attempt to make names for themselves by throwing a house party while one's parents are out of town.
A promo for the movie states: "As word spreads, the party takes on a life of its own and before the night is over, dreams are ruined, records are blemished and legends are born."
Warner Brothers, the distributor of the Project X movie has issued the following statement:
"These incidents are deplorable and it goes without saying that Project X is a fictional movie and that Warner Brothers does not condone -- and strongly discourages -- anyone from attempting to imitate conduct portrayed by actors in a controlled environment during the filming of a motion picture."
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