CHAMPAIGN -- Champaign police said "Unofficial St. Patrick's Day" parties were well under way by 10:30 a.m. but felt the revelry was not as strong as it was at the same time last year.

Police spokeswoman Rene Dunn said about five people had been issued tickets for city ordinance violations by late morning, including three who were at a private party at a house in the 500 block of South Fifth Street, Champaign, and others for a minor in possession of alcohol and for throwing a dangerous projectile.

"The party activity appears to be much slower, which is good," she said, adding the cautionary note that the day was young.

Deputy Police Chief Holly Nearing reported that officers on Thursday night said it was more like a "typical Friday night."

"There was a lot of alcohol but no major problems," she said.

Nearing said officers on duty this morning had received several reports of car windows being broken, which was a little unusual for a Friday morning but in general, calls for service were fewer than last year.

"We know the parties are going on," said Nearing, who said she herself had observed several "balcony parties" at apartments on Springfield Avenue.

Champaign Deputy Liquor Commissioner Teri Legner reported that two bars – Kam's, 618 E. Daniel St., C, and the Green Street Cafe, 35 E. Green St., C – had decided to raise their entry age to 21 for the event.

Legner said several city employees were going to be out videotaping the event until at least 3 a.m. Saturday. They started about 8 a.m. Friday.

"We're going to be on the public way with police and fire teams who are doing occupancy checks documenting what occurs," Legner said, adding that the city hadn't done its own video research in the past.

"We'll put it together so it's meaningful for us and use it for management of the event, for debriefing and for next year," she said.

Several tow trucks were busy at campus parking garages this morning, towing vehicles that had parked in reserved spots. That's often the case during Unofficial St. Patrick's Day, when a number of out-of-town motorists are visiting.