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Chico Council To Passes Harsher Party Penalties

Chico police will have more power to combat gatherings that get out of control after City Council action last night.

The unruly party ordinance will allow police to issue citations or arrests at disruptive, loud parties of more than 20 people.

Many locals voiced concerns about the ordinance stifling the music and arts scene, and the council ruled it will not will not apply to concerts or DJ events.

Mayor Mark Sorensen said that this was aimed predominantly at a particular problem: the hard party culture in the one square mile surrounding Chico State demands an inordinate amount of police resources.

An updated noise ordinance was also passed. It allows police to follow up if there are two verbal complaints or if the noise is happening late at night, rather than requiring a signed complaint.

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Tuesday Chico City Council Preview 

In addition to spilled drinks, sticky floors and full sinks, rowdy partiers in Chico may soon be hit with bigger fines and potentially, criminal prosecution.

With officials saying previous efforts weren’t effective enough, the council Tuesday evening will consider tightening the screws.

Under a proposal drafted by the police department, aggrieved members of the public would no longer have to sign an official complaint before officers may act.

Officials said some are discouraged from signing complaints, fearing retaliation.

The proposal would also change a violation from a citation to a misdemeanor — a more serious classification that could result in criminal prosecution. It would also make it easier for the city to go after landlords of noisy tenants.

Fines, currently starting at $250 may also go up.

The council will also consider a companion piece of legislation, eliminating the city’s Disorderly Events ordinance with a stricter Unruly Gathering Ordinance.