The Muncie City Council voted unanimously Monday night to pass the "Muncie Area Party Plan" amendment, which will allow police to record repeat noise ordinance offenders and label houses as "No Party Properties."
"Will all police officers enforce this?" Council member Alison Quirk said. "No - probably not ... but for those who are willing to, we feel it's our responsibility to provide them with such a tool."
A residence is designated a "No Party Property" after two infractions have taken place within one year. These include violations of the existing noise ordinance, disorderly conduct, possession of alcohol by minors, possession of illegal substances or other unlawful activities.
Once a residence is deemed a "No Party Property," residents who allow unlawful activity will face penalties, with the first offense resulting in a fine of not more than $250. A second offense within a year of the first offense will result in a fine between $100 and $500. The third offense includes a fine between $250 and $750.
Muncie Mayor Dan Canan said the ordinance does not target Ball State University students but simply provides police with another way to help alleviate some of the problems around
Ball State senior Adam Link, director of public policy for the Student Government Association, said he lives on North Dicks Street and supports the legislation.
"In the end, it provides the necessary amount of accountability to student renters of these properties," Link said. "I don't feel this policy is any kind of attack on students ... Students have to take responsibility for their actions and not let things get out of control."
Randy Hyman, associate dean of student affairs, said he examined similar initiatives in university communities across the country, including Lexington, Ky. The "Muncie Area Party Plan" amendment is based on a law that aids police in regulating disruptive parties around the University of Kentucky.
"It will permit law enforcement to be more proactive in addressing specific concerns that extend beyond the existing noise ordinance, and we think it will help improve the quality of life," Hyman said.
Council member Monte Murphy said he is glad the university is getting involved with the issue, but the ordinance must be enforced for it to be effective.
"We can pass all the laws," he said. "It still comes down to enforcement issues."
Muncie resident Chris Hiatt, who lives on University Avenue, said he has experienced instances when he had to call on local authorities to break up parties, even while the original noise ordinance was in place. He is concerned about how well the amended ordinance will be enforced.
"No matter what you put on the books, if it's not enforced, it's just not going to work," Hiatt said.
The Board of Public Works can remove the "No Party Property" certification, provided that the problem has been addressed and the property is not likely to be a disturbance in the future, according to the "Muncie Area Party Plan."
Muncie resident Linda Gregory, who lives on University Avenue, said she lives near many party houses. If a student who lived in a "No Party Property" house tried to appeal the certification at the Board of Public Works, she would like to have notification so she can attend the hearing and voice her opinion.
"I just think property owners need to be protected," she said. "Our property value needs to be protected."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
