BUENA PARK : Noisy-Party Fine Gets Tentative OK

Holding a noisy party could cost you more than your neighbors’ friendship, under an ordinance tentatively approved by the City Council.

Under the ordinance, residents may be fined up to $39 an hour if police officers have to respond twice to the same house. Hosts would receive a warning the first time. If police are called out again within 24 hours, the fee would be charged.

“Large parties are a continual problem which affect the peace and quiet of an entire neighborhood, and sometimes a residential area’s safety is seriously impaired,” Police Chief Richard M. Tefank said in a report. “Responding to these disturbances taxes the Police Department’s resources and they usually occur during our busiest times, middle to late evenings and on weekends.”

The council voted 3 to 1--Councilwoman Donna L. Chessen was absent--in favor of the ordinance. A final vote is set for Jan. 21. Councilwoman Rhonda J. McCune was the lone dissenter, saying she didn’t agree with giving residents only one warning.

“I have had a real problem with this,” McCune said. “If we were to go out the second time with a warning and issue the fine on the third time I would support it.” McCune said she was afraid habitual complainers would cause people to be fined unfairly.

According to staff figures, as many as 500 calls are received by the department each year about loud parties. Nearly 10% require officers to return more than once.

The “disturbing party” plan would not be a moneymaker, Tefank said, but it would help cover the city’s costs. “It puts the cost back to the person creating the problem,” he told the council.