Loud party notifications decreased 19 percent in August and September 2006 compared to the same period last year - and Tempe police say the threat of a heavy fine is the reason.
Tempe police handed out 222 loud-party notifications during the two-month period this year, compared to 275 in August and September 2005, according to police records.
The Loud Party Ordinance allows police to issue fines if called to the same party location twice for noise violations within a 90-day period, as defined in a 2003 Tempe City Council amendment to the ordinance.
"Education certainly is a factor," said Sgt.Dan Masters, Tempe police spokesman. "I think most students are now aware of the ordinance and are concerned about the fines and taking responsibility."
City officials and residents have said they hope additional on-campus housing would reduce the number of students living off-campus in Tempe and therefore decrease noise issues. This past year, the number of students living on the Tempe campus increased from 5,849 in 2005 to 6,083, according to ASU Residential Life.
If Tempe police receive a noise complaint, like a party, they issue a warning to the occupant, said Sgt. Bob Johnson, Tempe police.
Police will investigate the party to ensure no criminal violations are taking place and tell the hosts to tone the party down, Johnson said.
"If they need to go out a second time within 90 days, there is a fine for the amount of time and money that they cost the taxpayers," he said.
Fees are assessed based on the number of officers required to break up a party and can range from $250 to $1,000, Masters said.
Vince Hendren, a marketing senior, said people are more reluctant to have a noisy party during the 90-day period.
"It doesn't necessarily stop a party from happening on the first offense," Hendren said. "But it has more of an impact on the second offense."
The neighborhoods near ASU have a unique dynamic because older residents and college students live near each other, Johnson said.
Karyn Gitlis, who has lived in the Maple-Ash neighborhood for 20 years, said she enjoys living among college students.
"The students are a great addition to our neighborhood," said Gitlis, who is the Maple-Ash association chairwoman. "Because many people work during the day, the students can be the eyes and ears of the neighborhood."
Gitlis said she loves and appreciates a good party, but not necessarily free-for-alls.
The best way noise complaints can be reduced is communication with neighbors ahead of time and to be conscious of them, she said.
"I'll be more responsive [to a loud party] if I am told ahead of time," Gitlis said.
Johnson said ASU students are assets to Tempe.
"Typically ASU students are good people and they provide positives to the community," he said.
Reach the reporter at: jeffrey.mitchell@asu.edu.
