By Jane Prendergast and Kristina Goetz
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Authorities trying to make sure keg parties don't get out of hand this year around the University of Cincinnati are grateful for rainy weekend weather that they think dampened festivities. But they caution that the spring drinking season has barely begun.

Cincinnati police made at least 30 arrests, mostly for underage possession of alcohol and open containers. They also broke up one Moerlein Avenue party, where they confiscated 13 kegs. Four 21-year-old men were charged with allowing the underage consumption there.

They're trying to prevent a repeat of last year's Cinco de Stratford party, where revelers overturned cars, set fires and threw beer bottles at officers. The party's a takeoff on Cinco de Mayo, Mexicans' celebration of the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

Before this weekend, officers walked in the neighborhoods, talking to residents about what could happen if parties got out of hand again. And the university hung more than 4,000 signs warning about a new state law that says students guilty of rioting must be expelled, denied access to any state-supported institution for one year and lose financial aid for two.

"Our main effort was to make sure that students understood the consequences of their actions," Greg Hand, university spokesman, said.

About 60 Cincinnati officers worked in the neighborhoods around campus Friday and Saturday nights. Some said they were told to simply be visible; others said they were supposed to write tickets for any violation.

"We're still more or less at the beginning of the party season, so time will tell whether that knowledge has any real impact," Hand said. "But we're encouraged by the lack of a situation this weekend."

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E-mail jprendergast@enquirer.com or kgoetz@enquirer.com