EUGENE, Ore. (KMTR) -- In an effort to improve quality of life, especially for residents near the University of Oregon, the Eugene City Council has tightened the rules on problem parties.
Monday night the council approved a new social host ordinance, which targets places that have become known 'party houses'.
Police can now cite people who host or promote parties with more than five people where alcohol is served and at least two violations are committed. Those violations would include excessive noise and littering. With each additional violation, fines would increase up to $1,000.
The councilors also added community service as a possible penalty for a judge to consider.
Council member Alan Zelenka said he has personally had to deal with the litter problem. “This is about coming out of your door on Sunday and having beer bottles and those red cups on your lawn and all over the neighborhood and broken bottles on the street and on the sidewalk,” Zelenka said.
While the ordinance applies to the entire city, the campus area suffers most of the problem parties. Councilor Mike Clark said he would like the university to get involved and impose academic penalties for students who repeatedly violate the party ordinance. He figures such penalties would act as a deterrent to out-of-control parties.
