09-07-04 Health & Public Safety - Laserfiche WebLink

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Health and Public Safety Committee Heidi A. Phillips of 902 Washington noted that she has lived in her home which was constructed in 1913 since 1998. She cited a number of homes as one looks toward the Boat Club where an unreasonable amount of noise takes place. She noted that originally the entire area was zoned for single-family homes. She believes that many of the homes have been converted by Mark Kramer into student houses. She is aware of two (2) families who moved out this week who had lived in the area between 12-15 years. She stated that the homes near Dr. Johns are also "party houses". She believes there is an increasing frequency of loud parties and intensity of people attending the parties. Ms. Phillips stated that the parties are no longer just on the weekends, but rather beginning on week days around 11 pm and lasting to 3-5 am. She also cited problems of litter, broken bottles in the streets, people urinating publicly, etc. She stated that Mr. Kirk was initially cooperative. She noted that people are coming from other cities and she believes that the students are at risk especially when they are drunk and hide in the bushes when the police are called. Last Halloween there were over 2,000 students and a fence on St. Louis and Washington was damaged. She requested that agencies get involved especially in light of the under age drinking. The Council Attorney then provided to the persons in attendance with copies of the "Loud and Raucous Noise" regulations which are set forth in Sec. 13-57 of the South Bend Municipal Code; "Use of Police Officers at Large Parties or Gatherings Requiring a Second Response" regulations set forth in Sec. 13-57.1 of the South Bend Municipal Code and Sec. 13-57.05 of the South Bend Municipal Code setting forth the penalties for violations which range from $50.00 for the first offense, $100.00 for the 2nd offense and $200.00 for the 3rd and all subsequent offenses (copies attached). She added that the noise regulations have been on the books since the 1960's and were last amended in 1980, and that the large party regulations were passed by the Common Council in 1990 and later amended in 1992. Police Chief Thomas Fautz stated that his department has a good working relationship with Chuck Hurley, the Assistant Director of Notre Dame security. He noted that the city has worked with the Indiana Excise Police in some cases when there was reasonable suspicion that under age drinking was taking place. Jane Hobing of 1616 Scottswood stated that last Saturday there was alot of noise going on in the Wooded Estates area. The students had taken three(3)televisions outside and had the volume up on each on them form 6 p.m. to 1:15 am. She believes there were 20-30 students. At approximately 9:30 pm a police officer came after she called the police department. She stated that the officer did not believe that there was anything he could do with regard to the individuals being outside since they were on their own property. Chief Fautz apologized to Mrs. Hobing if any of his officer did not have a clear understanding of the noise regulations. Council President White asked what the University of Notre Dame does with regard to the behavior of students where they are off-campus. Health and Public Safety Committee Meeting of September 7,2004 Page 2