CYPRESS : City OKs Ordinance to Curb Flyer Parties

In the wake of violence at a recent “flyer party” of teen-agers, the City Council has approved a new law cracking down on such gatherings.

Flyer parties are advertised in leaflets and can draw large crowds of teen-agers. Admission is usually charged.

A flyer party on Aug. 27 in the 10300 block of Ethel Street resulted in gunshots but no injuries. Police said 150 people attended that party and that the average age was 14.

Several council members expressed concern after the shootings. Acting swiftly at last week’s meeting, the council voted unanimously to immediately adopt an ordinance that it hopes will send a message that such violence will not be tolerated.

The council directed city staff to copy an anti-flyer party ordinance adopted in 1990 by neighboring Los Alamitos.

The new law similarly forbids anyone “to charge admission to any party conducted in a residential zone” within the city.

Violators face a maximum $500 fine and six months in jail. The law also allows the city to collect for the costs of policing a party under some circumstances.

Councilman Walter K. Bowman said he did not think it would be enough for the council to simply discuss the aftermath of the Aug. 27 flyer party.

“I think we need to have some sort of law on our books,” he said. “And we don’t need to reinvent the wheel. We can copy the Los Alamitos law.”

Other council members said they agreed. Councilwoman Gail H. Kerry said that by taking immediate action, the council was showing it would not tolerate flyer parties in the city.

“The whole intent (of the new ordinance) is to come down hard on flyer parties,” she said.