SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. -- Sandy Springs is cracking down on promoters who rent huge, unoccupied houses for big parties. A city councilmember said it’s happened three times and at least once in a foreclosed home on Powers Ferry Road.

Beer bottles in the bushes and party decorations a clean-up crew showed Channel 2 Action News reporter Jeff Dore hint at the huge party at a 6-bedroom mansion with 12-foot ceilings and five fireplaces on Halloween. The house has never been sold or lived in.

Police dashboard camera video showed more of the story. People were streaming to the house and waiting in the street in costumes for a chance to get in the overcrowded house party.

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Police: Off-Duty Cops Working Illegal Parties

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“They could see there was a total mess with the traffic. There were busloads that were being let off to go to this party,” said Lt. Steve Rose of the Sandy Springs Police Department.

Fliers were distributed at college campuses from the University of West Georgia to Georgia State, police said.

Police said partiers paid a cover charge and could buy drinks and order food from a menu of food – all without city permits.

“(They were) serving alcohol, selling alcohol, charging to come into a party without permits. That’s running a commercial establishment,” said Rose.

Sandy Springs City Councilmember Karen Meinzen McEnerny said she fielded calls from people after three of the parties were held in otherwise empty homes.

Sandy Springs police shut down the party and arrested the alleged organizer, Anthony Epps.

The police report said security guards at the party included an off-duty Rockdale County sheriff’s deputy and the Clarkston chief of police, Tony Scepio.

Scepio told Dore he was only there briefly to give his niece a ride home from the party and he was not working security there.

Sandy Springs police said it’s a no brainer their officers weren’t hired off-duty for security. Before they have anything to do with a job, they have to make sure the party follows all city ordinances.