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Citywide: Council considering cracking down on “party houses”
October 11th, 2009, 2:34 pm · 40 Comments · posted by EUGENE W. FIELDS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The Orange City Council will consider an amendment Tuesday to an existing law aimed at cracking down on so-called party houses in Old Towne Orange adjacent to Chapman University.
The amendment would allow police to cite party-goers if they are called to the same residence within 72 hours for such offenses as disturbing the peace – as well as give the city power to cite the property owner. The current law says the citation kicks in on the second visit the same night.
City Attorney David DeBerry said the proposed amendment was prompted by neighbor complaints about loud parties at off-campus homes and a request from Chapman officials to help quell the rising trend.
“The problem child is the college house that has four college-age kids and they invite 20 friends,” DeBerry said. “It’s the noise and the litter. We have houses that are like that.”
DeBerry said the citation is a misdemeanor with a $150 for a first offense, $250 for second offense, and $500 for a third one. There would also be a possible court penalty assessment of $26 for every $10 of the fine.
Orange Police Lt. Dave Hill said the department is working with university officials to curb bad behavior.
“We work with Chapman’s Public Safety to identify these homes,” Hill said.
Harold Hewitt, Chapman University’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, said university administrators asked city officials to craft the amendment. Chapman’s Public Safety officers have no power off-campus.
“The behavior is occurring on private property, and it’s beyond our jurisdiction,” Hewitt said. “Without some additional tools aimed at stopping the behavior, it’s not currently possible for any of us to effectively respond.”
Ellie Booms, 47, has lived in the same home near the Chapman dorms for 27 years. Booms said there are two “party houses” on her street, and the partying has escalated through the years.
“All the houses around me are rentals, and the more rentals we have, the more young people we have,” Booms said. “After 10 p.m. on Saturdays, the party breaks out.”
Booms said her concerns are noise, trash and loud, drunken party-goers who vomit, urinate and defecate on their way back to campus or to other parties.
“I have a real high tolerance,” Booms said. “I love that I live where I live. I’ve watched the campus grow and become a beautiful facility, but I want them to be responsible and be aware. …
“With so many houses becoming rentals for the college kids, it made me start thinking I need to re-evaluate this,” Booms said. “I’m thinking about selling.”
Mayor Carolyn Cavecche said part of the problem is that students are renting homes – and partying – in residential districts.
“The students are just standing in the neighborhoods at 12 or 1 in the morning,” Cavecche said. “What we’re saying is that they can’t have a party night after night and disturb their neighbors.”
Councilman Denis Bilodeau said he does not support passing the amendment because it is too restrictive.
“Passing a new ordinance that restricts the civil liberties of all the residents of Orange is the last thing we should do,” Bilodeau said. “An ordinance is not going to solve the problems.”
Hewitt said the amendment is aimed at “party houses” and modeled after laws in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, San Diego and more locally, Fullerton. Fullerton has a law requiring all fraternity and sorority house to get a special permit from the city.
“This is a problem (that) lots of places have tried to deal with,” Hewitt said. “These are statutes that are not new and demonstrated (they) work.”
To contact the reporter: 714-704-3704 or efields@ocregister.com
To go to OrangeCityWatch.com, the Register’s blog that covers everything Orange, click here.
More citywide stories about Orange
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An ordinance like this exists in Claremont, Ca but was targeted toward high school students partying when their parents were out of town.
I think its a good idea to fine the HOMEOWNER and Renter(s). This will enable the H/O to be aware of what is going on in their homes, the renter to feel a little of teh financial impact and enable H/O to evict renters for behavior that violates their renters contract.
I am not against kids having a ‘good time’. They should just be a little more respectful and responsible for their behavior.
“Booms said her concerns are noise, trash and loud, drunken party-goers who vomit, urinate and defecate on their way back to campus or to other parties.”
Sounds like my kind of neighborhood.
Whoa…Party on Wayne…Party on Garth. Alright!
Better to get rid of clown houses where there are three families to a house.
that too
Councilman Bilodeau……The amendment too restrictive? The civil liberties of the party-goers would be violated? What about the rights of the neighbors ? Aparentlly you do not live in a neighborhood where someone takes a crap or a leak on your sidewalk and you have to try to sleep through loud parties, It’s always easy to form an opinion when it doesn’t affect you. I don’t think protecting someone’s “civil liberties” should come at the expense of others.
Think about what he just said. When it is re-election time; which it is, think about casting your vote this time for him.
Of course none of those complaining or on the city council thought anything about the noise and parties they were involved in when they were doing the same thing in college.
It seems many members of the city council resent having Chapman in the city of Orange altogether.
IT’S TIME STUDENTS BEGAN AN ECONOMIC BOYCOTT OF BUSINESSES IN THE CITY OF ORANGE. PARTICULARLY THOSE BUSINESSES CLOSEST TO CAMPUS AND NEAR THE TRAFFIC CIRCLE AND DOWNTOWN.
LET’S SEE HOW THE CITY COUNCIL RESPONDS TO BUSINESS OWNERS WHO ARE SUFFERING AS IS IN THIS DOWN ECONOMY.
IT’S ASHAMED THE CITY COUNCIL TAKES CHAMPMAN, THE STUDENTS AND ECONOMIC BENEFIT OF THE UNIVERSITY FOR GRANTED.
VOTE WITH YOUR WALLETS STUDENTS!!!
VOTE WITH THOSE DOLLARS RIGHT OUT OF TOWN!!!
Whew. Did someone’s mommy forget to mail the party money this month?
Time to take that mountain of kegs back for their refunds.
also must be using a Speak ‘n Spell since it is all caps. It has been a pain as all the housing around the university has been taken up, and the parking has become impossible. I used to go to the OCA meeting there, but have given up, can’t and won’t walk from a parking lot blocks away to the meeting. All so these guys can party and complain like this.
Orange County officials are the biggest control freaks I’ve ever heard of. Get a clue and start trying to do something about CRIME rather than trying to ruin college students.
Lame. What’s to prevent bogus complaints to harass a neighbor? There should be a noise level standard.
I would think the police would have to arrive and witness it themselves before a citation issued.
“Common Sense”, don’t you think the people who live next to these party houses also have rights?
This article forgot to bring up the booming radio’s that shack your house and rattle your windows and keep you awake all night.
Give me a break.
The Booms bought their house right next to Chapman college. Did they ever stop to think that maybe there’d be college parties?
It’s like buy a house next to an airport, then complaining about the planes.
Hey Old Town Residents, if you want all the benefits of a college town. That is, students with cash coming to buy from your local businesses, paying high rents etc., then you have to live with the consequences.
You don’t like college parties, move.
Secondly, I’ve been to tons of afterparties from the Bars in the Orange Circle. Parties that start after 2am and go to dawn. However, I’ve never been to a college party. Most of these partiers were not in college, in their mid 20′s, ’30′s or even ’40′s. They all had jobs and would take drunks back to their place for more drinking. I’ve been apartments that were set up like a bar in which old guys try to hit on college girls; empty houses in which a recently divorced man was having fun, or taken to a back yard that had a fire pit in which we all drank; or a tailgate at somebody’s apartment complex. The list is endless. I can go through downtown Orange and hear all the parties going on; sometimes it reminds me of a college town, but none of those parties were thrown by college students.
I doubt city hall wants to piss of the locals.
Party on Garth!! ….
why dont they work on getting rid of all the disgusting illegals bumping their circus mariachi music at all hours of the night.
Dear Orange County Residents,
If there’s one place I WOULDN’T be driving/walking around on ANY night of the week…it’d be the Old Towne Chapman University neighborhoods and any feeder streets leading to surrounding freeways. Why????
1. Chapman University students drinking on Old Towne, neighborhood sidewalks.
2. Chapman University students drunk on Old Towne, neighborhood sidewalks.
3. Chapman University students driving while under the influence on Old Towne, residential streets.
4. Chapman University students driving while INTOXICATED on Old Towne, residential streets.
5. Drunken Chapman University students’ beer bottles in Old Towne, neighborhood yards.
6. Drunken Chapman University students’ red/blue plastic cups filled with wine left in Old Towne, neighborhood yards.
7. Drunken Chapman University students’ alcohol-infused vomit in Old Towne, neighborhood yards.
8. Drunken Chapman University students’ feces in Old Towne, neighborhood yards.
9. Drunken Chapman University students urinating in Old Towne, neighborhood yards.
10. Loud, drunken Chapman University students’ voices at 10 p.m., 11 p.m., 12 a..m.,1 a.m., 2 a.m., 3 a.m. echoing throughout Old Towne neighborhoods.
11. Loud, drunken Chapman University students’ SCREAMING at 10 p.m., 11 p.m., 12 a..m.,1 a.m., 2 a.m., 3 a.m. echoing throughout Old Towne neighborhoods.
12. Loud, drunken Chapman University students’ raucous laughter at 10 p.m., 11 p.m., 12 a..m.,1 a.m., 2 a.m., 3 a.m. echoing throughout Old Town neighborhoods.
13. Loud, drunken Chapman University students’ fighting at 10 p.m., 11 p.m., 12 a..m.,1 a.m., 2 a.m., 3 a.m. on the streets of Old Town neighborhoods.
14. Cars driven by loud, drunken, Chapman University students ‘burning rubber’ up and down Old Towne neighborhood streets at 10 p.m., 11 p.m., 12 a..m.,1 a.m., 2 a.m., 3 a.m.
15. Orange Police officers GENTLY reminding loud, drunken, Chapman University students that they are in an Old Towne, residential neighborhood and there are people trying to sleep because they have work in the morning.
16. Loud, drunken, Chapman University students laughing at politically-correct, Orange Police as said students continue to party-on immediately after Orange Police cars are out of sight.
I ask you, Chapman University Partiers, YOU high school attendees,(Yeah, I HEAR you at night.), Old Town Orange residents, Orange PD, owners of rental properties in Old Town Orange, and the Orange County community at large, who will be Old Towne Orange’s drunk-driving, death STATISTIC #1? Because one of these Chapman University students (or guests), in his/her pursuit of the ultimate ‘high’, is ripe for killing an innocent human being! And that statistic just might be YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And that’s some FREEDOM of expression, ain’t it???
AA meetings abound in Orange County for a reason!
Sign me,
Afraid to go out at night in the Old Towne Orange, Chapman University area.
P.S. A WORD to the powers that be who run Chapman U. For what it’s worth: Time to get that MADD, drunk-driving trailer back on your campus, wouldn’t you think????
yshouldeyeshop, you have no proof all those instances were caused by Chapman University students.
If you don’t like it, MOVE.
Maybe you shouldn’t live next to a college.
Just because you don’t like your neighbors, doesn’t mean we have to enact laws that restricts our freedom.
Dearest Lucifer’s Flowers…
And you have no proof that I don’t!
You DO understand that there are LAWS (not rights) that RESTRICT underage drinking, drunk driving, supplying alcohol to minors. Do you consider those laws restrictive or protective?
Talk to a parent who’s lost a son/daughter to a drunk driver. Then, perhaps you’ll see the Chapman University drinking problem in a different light.
Let’s see your proof.
Have you personally carded all party goers?
Have to you taken photos of them drinking alcohol?
From your previous post, in which you included a long list of things you don’t like, you care nothing of minors, underage drinking or drunk driving. What you care about, is all about you and how they effect you. You are being selfish. You’re just trying to hide behind it as an appeal to emotion. That’s pathetic.
the only way you to end the problem is to give the property owner great authority to get rid of the renters. as of now the renters have more rights than the owner.
As a resident of Old Towne for over thirty years it is horrible to hear that the residents of Orange have a problem with the students of Chapman. There is nothing wrong with students letting off steam after their weekly classes; or daily for that matter. Keep selling your antiques to the student’s parents when they visit the school and keep the growing college presence in Old Towne. The amount of money spent by Chapman for the beautification of our beloved city has been well welcomed before and Rod’s Liquor and Palm Market have become institutions in the area.
Don’t like the noise?? Put you phonograph on and get some rest grandpa!!
Don’t like the NOISE, old towne lifer? Give me a break.
It’s the ALCOHOL.
Period.
I take it that ‘letting off steam after weekly/daily classes’ is code for approving of Chapman college students’ underage drinking and driving while under the influence in YOUR (?) OLD TOWNE NEIGHBORHOOD.
Oh, course, it all boils down to $$$$$$$$$$$$$, right?
Look the other way, ‘beautify’ Old Towne, glorify Rod’s Liquor, and ‘get some rest grandpa’.
Me thinks you are NOT a thirty year resident of Old Towne.
Maybe a Chapman U student, icognito? Hmmm…???
nope
lived here for 30 plus years….and am loving the way Chapman has helped put the city of Orange on the map more so than the overpriced antiques taking up space in the circle. If you don’t let the kids have fun in town, than they will just go elsewhere and drive further distances whilst intoxicated. Let’s stop imposing restrictions on the students, as well as the residents, in order to pay for the Orange Police Departments new Dodge Charger Cruisers.
Indeed, old towne lifer, let’s make the Chapman University area a LAWLESS zone so those poor, overworked, need-to-get-drunk-at-night, TEMPORARY residents can keep pumping money into the city of Orange! Screw the homeowners! Move out the overpriced stores in the Orange Circle! Bring in the bars! What INTOXICATING ideas! Keep ‘em coming!
wut? parties? near a college? thats just unheard of..
As an Alum of CU, I have been to my fair share of college parties. Some people seem to think that if they can here the slightest sound that someone’s disturbing the peace. I’ve even seen the cops called 2 hours after everyone had gone to sleep simply because some neighbor was pissy. had that occured with this new ordinance, we would have been fined. There needs to be an objective determination and not just going off of one complaint.
Yes, sometimes parties get too loud, especially when we’re drinking, but other times someone just has no tolerance for any sound whatsoever
The city is out trying to drum up some revenue.
Why is all the blame on the Chapman students? What about all the WT in the area going to the run down WT bars?
Meh, if you don’t like living near college party houses, um…don’t live near a college! hello?!
Excuse me, but aren’t we overlooking the obvious? Laws are already on the books that address disturbing the peace and creating a public nuisance .
How much control do landlords—especially absentee landlords—have over what goes on in their rentals?
If police can’t control excessive noise at these “party houses” under existing laws, and hold the perpetrators responsible, how will passing the buck to landlords serve any purpose, except to enrich city coffers?
My parents have faced a similar situation up in Los Angeles. They live a few blocks from LMU and there are 3 party houses just on their street. They have lived there for a number of years and never experienced this before. The kids party all the time and are very disrespectful to my parents and their other neighbors. The community members have tried talking to the campus but they say they can’t do anything. What they should do is stop expanding a campus that was not designed for that, or make students live on campus. My parents property value has gone down because of this and their quality of life. They can’t sleep during the week because of these snotty rich kids. Yeah, their parents bought an 800,00 dollar home for them because they did not want to live in the dorm. Please!
This is just another thing that the religious right wing conservatives want to crack down on. Let’s all go to chuch and make crafts, everyone! Hide your nasty habits and don’t let your neighbors know that you once smoked pot and drank, then go and talk to the clergy about, so they can fantasize and go after our children.
If I had to live there I have the PD’s phone # on speed dial. I keep imaging finding a pile of poop on my lawn or sidewalk.
I live in Old Towne as well and if it takes getting the property owners the violations, then maybe thats what they need to do. Then maybe the property owners will get smart and kick the partiers out and won’t rent to them.
I think they need to find another way to deal with this if it is such a problem. The ordinance as proposed is ridiculous. I am a Chapman student living in a house that we own (not rent). We are kind to our neighbors and usually make sure to ask them before having any “large” number of people over. I feel sorry for neighbors who have to put up with excessive partying but all they need to do is talk to their neighbors themselves or call the police. I can just see this ordinance being taken advantage of. If my roommates were to all go outside at once and talk (there are 4 of us total) we’d already be at risk for violation. Will this ordinance just become a way to punish all Chapman students for merely existing? This whole thing is being made under the blanket assumption that all Chapman students cause all problems, but I can say that I have never peed or defecated on anyone’s lawn, I certainly haven’t ever driven drunk, and I won’t support an ordinance that prevents me from having a good time just because I am a college student.
so if this isnt just targeted at chapman students, then the next time my noisy neighbors (despite the age) have a large family get together or bbq, then i guess by law i can have the police department there and have them written up, unless the police department is bias and only writes up college students, then thats ridiculously stupid