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Kent nuisance laws likely to be tested soon Ordinance allows police to break up parties

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Matthew Fredmonsky
March 31, 2007

By Matt Fredmonsky

Record-Courier staff writer

One of Kent's newest ordinances will be tested by authorities and residents alike as temperatures rise and the likelihood of outdoor parties increases.

In April 2006, police officers made numerous arrests during a "college fest" block party on College Avenue and Willow Street. In the fall of 2006, police made more than 100 arrests related to underage drinking, disorderly conduct and large house parties. And, with finals week at Kent State University less than two months away, so to is the annual May Day weekend, which typically features numerous graduation parties throughout the city and an increased contingent of safety personnel.

In an effort to reduce the number of parties that take place, Kent City Council recently approved the Nuisance Party ordinance. The ordinance established criteria for defining a nuisance party and created a $500 minimum fine for the first offense.

Kent Police Chief James Peach said the new ordinance will give officers the authority to break up an out-of-control party.

"It's nice to have," Peach said. "In the past we had to use a combination of laws and ordinances. This new ordinance will make it easier to enforce and prosecute."

The ordinance identifies 10 nuisance violations, including disorderly conduct, illegal open container, underage drinking, public urination and public indecency. If more than one of those violations is found at a party, police can legally shut it down.

Peach said the person leasing, renting or living where the nuisance party takes place will be held responsible.

"The person throwing the party ... will be charged if it appears they are not doing everything in their power to keep it a lawful party," he said.

In preparation for the upcoming May Day and finals week celebrations, council approved spending $500 to cover refreshments for the additional safety personnel expected to work. Creating new ordinances and enlisting the help of area safety departments is not the only step being taken in Kent to counter unruly parties.

Kent resident Paul Myers, who also runs the Rock Cafe downtown, is working with the university's dean of students office, student fraternal organizations, Kent City Manager Dave Ruller and city safety administrators to create a community task force.

"Some deem it the party patrol," Myers said. "We're working with young people to allow students to still have a great college experience without the associated behavior problems."




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