ANAHEIM : Loud Parties May Cost Hosts $1,000

The cost of throwing a loud party in Anaheim may go up $1,000.

The City Council will be asked to give its initial approval Tuesday to a Police Department plan to charge hosts up to $1,000 if officers are sent more than once to quiet a noisy late-night party.

The charge is aimed at covering the cost to the city for the officers’ time, city officials said.

City Atty. Jack L. White said the proposal stemmed from the recommendation of a resident who said other cities in Orange County charge such fees.

Orange, Tustin and San Clemente, among others, have similar ordinances.

Laguna Beach is considering such a charge.

Anaheim already charges drunk drivers for police costs their arrest incurs.

“We are always looking at ways to help offset our police costs,” White said.

The city has no estimate of how much such charges would raise, but White said the amount would be “small.”

According to the new proposal, the first time officers respond to complaints about a party’s being too loud, the host will receive written notice that any additional visits to the party within the next 24 hours could result in the charge being levied.

If the hosts are juveniles, their parents will receive the bill.

A city ordinance already prohibits parties from making “loud and unreasonable” noise from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Loud and unreasonable noise is defined as “any sound or noise which is of a volume level and duration or character as to willfully disturb one or more persons of ordinary sensibilities.”

That ordinance directs officers to close a party after a second noise complaint, and that would not be changed.

White said that a few years ago, the city tried to enact an ordinance that would have billed for police time anyone who was guilty of a crime or violating a city ordinance.

That plan was voted down.

The City Council will receive the ordinance for review at Tuesday’s meeting.

If there are no objections, a final vote will be scheduled for an October meeting.

Tuesday’s meeting will begin at 5 p.m. at City Hall, 200 S. Anaheim Blvd.