Irvine Police May Start to Fine Loud Party-Goers

Having a good time could carry a high cost for party-goers if their fun disturbs the neighbors.

Under an ordinance that won preliminary approval this week, a minimum $250 fine is the penalty for ignoring a first warning by police to hold the noise down.

Since January, police have logged 45 incidents in which they have had to return to a party at least twice in response to complaints.

“Sometimes we get calls from the hosts themselves,” Police Chief Charles S. Brobeck said, “because they have lost control of the event. But this is not intended to go out and charge people for a first response.”

The ordinance, which will come before the City Council this month for a second reading, would allow police to charge up to $1,000, depending on the level of police response required. It is considered a “cost-recovery program,” not a criminal penalty.

Councilman Greg Smith said the ordinance was clearly intended to combat abuses from “flyer” parties that are run for profit.

“It’s not our intent to put the damper on parties or get-togethers,” Smith said. “But we live in a different era and time, unfortunately, than we did 25 years or so ago.”

Woodbridge High School student Lauren Maddocks, attending the council meeting to fulfill a political science class requirement, said the ordinance would give police too much discretion in deciding whether to levy fines against teen-age party-goers.

“They’ll be going on their opinion instead of using specific guidelines,” Maddocks said. “If it’s a teen-ager party, they’ll just automatically think it’s too loud.”