When officers came knocking, Ashley Lange found herself climbing through a tiny window in the basement of an unfamiliar house to avoid punishment.

Once Lange and her friends broke loose from the East Lansing house, they ran from police that night 18 months ago. The party was busted - and the group evaded minor-in-possession tickets by seconds.

"There had to be 80 people in this little house," the advertising freshman said. "They were at the front door and it was a consensus between us - we had to get out of this house."

Now students looking to avoid an early last call at East Lansing parties can log on to the police department's Web site and get tips to avoid having parties broken up.

"This has always been an issue that we've dealt with but we're looking at other vehicles to let people know how to avoid trouble," East Lansing police Capt. Juli Liebler said.

The most important rule to remember is to understand neighbors don't have to tolerate disturbing parties, she said.

In the fall, residents and East Lansing City Council members complained noise troubles were out of control in the city. But citations for unruly parties dwindled by semester's end.

Ordinances affecting noise complaints were adjusted in 2000 at the request of residents. In the past two years, 1,800 complaints were filed with the city. Final statistics for 2002 haven't been released.

Most parties are called to the attention of police by neighbors, Liebler said.

"What I think people fail to understand is that it's a quality of life issue, not an issue that the police has," said Liebler, adding problems usually boil down to alcohol consumption. "It's people being respectful and understanding that just because it's a college town, that doesn't make it right to make as much noise as you can."

The city's noise ordinance states that noise cannot leave a house's property. If any noise is plainly audible from the street or adjacent property, then the house's tenants are subject to a noise violation citation.

The police are under no obligation to give a warning and fines can range from $175 to $250 for the first offense.

"If people could just not violate that one rule, there's no guarantee they won't get a ticket, but chances are that they won't," Liebler said.

The city has been quieter than the beginning of last semester because there have been fewer home football games and colder weather and because of efforts of ASMSU, MSU's undergraduate student government, police say.

ASMSU submitted plans in November to the city on how to cut down on noise during parties. So far, the plans are making an impact, Liebler said.

Guidelines on the site include inviting small amounts of people to parties made up of familiar faces and registering the party before guests arrive with the police department. Police also remind students a liquor license is required to sell alcohol, so it's illegal to sell it at parties.

Students can still submit suggestions to the city and police on the city's Web site.

Naomi Nitz, an audiology and speech junior, thinks it's great the police department is trying to aid students, but said she doesn't think the site will be effective.

"I think it would be better to see real-life stories on it," she said. "At any party if the cops come, we'll just go into a room and be quiet."

To read the tips on how to avoid trouble at parties, visit \"www.cityofeastlansing.com\" and click on police.