West Covina : Fines Rise for Loud Parties

Hosts of unruly parties who receive repeat visits from police will also be liable for the personnel required to reel in their revelry because of City Council action Monday.

The council adopted an hourly rate that the hosts will be billed if officers are required to make more than one trip to the party site. The rate, equal to what the city charges when it contracts police services, is $24 an hour for an officer and $30 an hour for a police sergeant. A maximum of $1,000 can be charged.

In October, the council adopted the reimbursement ordinance to defray the costs of responding to an increasing number of disturbances. This year, police have responded to 2,500 disturbance calls, 500 repeat calls and made 250 third-time appearances, said Police Chief Craig L. Meacham.

Meacham said the ordinance adds an incentive for hosts to keep a lid on the good times. On the first response, the host will receive a warning citation informing them of the possible fines for return visits.