I don't have a problem with the police telling the kids to move cars, or taking a look around to see what's going on, or even giving a few breathalyzer tests when before they have things figured out.
But to test 90 kids, every one of them providing a negative result? Searching in locked rooms? I presume the police would catch on after:
-They discovered the keg was filled with root beer (probably one of the first things to check out).
-The first, oh, 20 or 30 kids passed the breathalyzer.
-Noticing there were no other bottles laying around anywhere.
-Observing the smug grins and hearing the unstifled laughter from the kids who just realized they got one over on the police.
So that means the police were either dim enough to be fooled by some punk kid's scheme, that they did figure out the scheme but decided to search rooms and breath test people even thought they knew there wasn't any criminal activity, or they really do believe that a complete and thorough search is required everywhere they go.
Which do you think is the case?
(I should also point out, as others have, that the article said nothing about the kids pouring out of the house and fleeing. However, since I made a few presumptions of my own, I'll let that one slide.)
As the police chief said, if they'd had just one of those party kids get into a DUI crash, get hurt in a fight, or vandalize someone's property, they'd have been up the proverbial creek with no paddle. They have no room for error, and a lot to be accountable for.
I really think folks on this thread need to cut them some slack. Cops don't have a lot of time for a sense of humor on the job...every decision they make has a gravity beyond anything we desk jockeys can imagine.
Put yourself in their shoes...every move you make is under a microscope, you can never make a "right" decision (just look at this thread!), you're not paid squat compared to the danger you face and the responsibility you take on every time you go to work. Now multiply that for Sergeants, then evern more for Watch Commanders, then even more for Shift Commanders. Then take all that and add daily butt chewings from dumb-a** City Councilmen and Mayors, threats of lawsuits from some Jesse Jackass type who says you offended this or that, and that's what the Chief puts up with.
Now, all that in mind, can you not see how they would want to make sure there's absolutely no chance whatsoever anything could go wrong when they bust a party that, on first appearances, looks like every other high school party they ever busted? Cut 'em some slack. Or better yet, try doing a ride along some time, and see what they put up with. It'll open your eyes, man.
Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!