Members of the Gamma Phi Kappa fraternity were temporarily evicted from their house by the city’s Inspectional Services Department late Saturday night after police investigated complaints of loud noise and discovered conditions “unfit for human occupancy.” The fraternity may also face federal charges for the theft of a U.S. Postal box that was found in the building, according to Director of Communications for the Boston Police Department Mariellen Burns.
The Gamma Phi Kappa fraternity has since been placed on administrative suspension, said Director of Student Activities Todd Shaver.
The house has been condemned by Inspectional Services and all entrances to the building have been boarded up by the department pending a court hearing. A guard is posted at the building 24 hours a day to stop anyone from entering and all the possessions of the residents remain inside the building.
According to police, officers responded to calls from neighbors in the area complaining of loud noise at 11:57 p.m., leading to the discovery of a number of health and safety violations. Violations listed in the police report included non-functioning smoke detectors and exit signs, and poor wiring throughout the building.
“When police officers arrived they discovered approximately 50 people drinking alcoholic beverages,” said David Estrada a Boston Police Department spokesperson. “The officers then proceeded to the basement where an additional 50 people were found, as well as a fixed bar with a keg attached to it, and several street signs, railroad crossing signs, signs from local businesses, a U.S. Postal box, and two fire hydrants.”
Estrada said there were also several underage people drinking and no identification was checked before they were allowed to enter the building. He also said there was a $5.00 admission charge to enter the house.
According to Shaver, the trouble between the Gamma Phi Kappa fraternity and the Boston Police resulted in the immediate administrative suspension of the fraternity. The students face a court hearing with the city, as well as a hearing with the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution. The matter will then go to the Greek Council, which will decide if the fraternity will be recognized at Northeastern again.
As of press time, the members of the Gamma Phi Kappa fraternity were unavailable for comment.