HARRISONBURG, Va. – Broken glass on a driveway led to a call to police that eventually evolved into riot gear, tear gas and 30 arrests at the annual block party near James Madison University this weekend.

The event that normally brings in 1,000-2,000 people was said to have been promoted on Facebook so this year it attracted about 8,000, meaning there was a lot more alcohol consumed and students were a lot more shit-faced.

The rowdiness led to a large bonfire, a few fights and before the event was over, police were on the scene shooting tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Lt. Kurt Boshart of the Harrisonburg Police Department said they were called after fights broke out and when they tried to break up the crowd, they were pelted with bottles and rocks, forcing them to resort to using tear gas.

One resident, Danny Woodruff, told ABC affiliate WHSV:

“Helicopters, ambulances, police cars…police cars came into our neighborhood after someone called and complained about a broken bottle in the driveway.”

Woodruff also said Saturday’s block party left residents with the chore of cleaning up broken glass, beer cans and removing the stench of urination off their property.

The College Prowler website rates JMU with a B- for nightlife and says, “The cool thing about Madison parties is that they’re hardly ever exclusive; the more the merrier! JMU parties are also a spiffy place to rub elbows with peeps from neighboring schools.”

. . . and of course the local police in riot gear.

The 30 arrested were booked with charges pending.

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