Paradise Valley residents could pay fine if parties get shut down by cops
Jan 18, 2018, 4:01 AM
(Flickr/mcclave)
PHOENIX — Paradise Valley residents could soon have a new motto to live by, one inspired by none other than the Beastie Boys: “You’ve got to fight for your right to party.”
The Phoenix-area suburb’s town council will soon consider a new ordinance in which homeowners would have to pay up if officers are sent to shut down their loud parties.
Lt. Michael Cole with the Paradise Valley Police Department said the ordinance would only target repeat offenders, not families whose 6-year-old’s birthday party got a little out of hand.
For example, if officers were called to shut down a party at the same home multiple times, they could be fined at least $1,000 and be ordered to pay back the police department for their efforts.
“You would actually pay a fee equal to what it cost the officers to respond,” Cole said. That fee would be $310 per each hour that it would take police to shut down the party.
“We’re looking to recover the costs associated with responding to unruly gatherings.”
Cole said the purpose of the ordinance would be to deter the behavior that causes those parties and allow the town to be reimbursed for the cost of the response.
The town council will take up the ordinance in March.
KTAR News’ Bob McClay contributed to this report.