This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Crime & Safety

Loud Parties, Teen Drinking Face New Fines

City amends two ordinances changing the fines and appeal process for unruly gatherings and underage drinking.

Those who want to party hearty better be ready to pay the piper: The city of Napa is amending two of its ordinances dealing with underage drinking at parties and loud and unruly gatherings.

Currently, violators are subject to civil, criminal citations and law enforcement recovery costs, according to Napa Police Lt. Debbie Peecook.

The proposed changes, which had their first reading before the city council last week, eliminate criminal citations and set new civil fines, Peecook said.

Find out what's happening in Napa Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“Now the civil fine is $1,000, the criminal fines are set by the court and law enforcement recovery varies depending on how many resources were used,” she said.

The new civil fines will be $500 for the first offense, $750 for the second and $1,000 for the third. These fines are for offenses within one year.

Find out what's happening in Napa Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

If a person receives a fourth citation within the same 12 months, the fine is again $1,000 and $1,000 for every offense after that within that year.

Also, the appeal process for the amended ordinances has changed. Previously the appeals were heard and ruled upon by the city council. Now the appeal process will go before an administrative judge.

“If minors under 21 years are found drinking at the party, police will round them up, their parents are called and released to them,” Peecook said. “There could be possible criminal charges as well if a minor is found to be in possession of alcohol, which is against the law.”

The same fines apply to unruly and loud parties, she said.

Parents are responsible for their minor children’s behavior, and the parents of the home where the party is hosted are responsible whether or not they are aware a party was at their house, Peecook said.

“Most parents know. Some are even home during the parties. They just stay in another room,” she said.

Peecook said in some cases parents actually purchase the alcohol for their children’s parties, or “the kids often get older siblings to buy the alcohol.”

In 2010 Napa police issued 14 citations for parties with underage drinkers in attendance.

“Most of the  complaints come from neighbors. We get more calls on weekends,” Peecook said. “We are also concerned with special events such as graduations.”

Peecook said Napa officers annually respond to an average of 600 calls for service dealing with disturbances.

“It’s not just about the noise. Drinking at parties also can lead to violence, sexual assaults, alcohol poisoning and  DUIs,” she said.

Napa Patch asked several people in downtown Napa their opinions of the amended ordinances.

Karen Lawton thinks it is a good idea, “especially the part about underage drinking at parties.

“A lot of bad things can happen when anyone drinks too much, but kids are much more vulnerable to peer pressure and sometimes don’t make the best decisions,” Lawton said.

Napa resident Larry Hooper is happy the ordinances are there.

“It is very disturbing and frustrating when a neighbor decides to throw a big, loud party, infringing on the rights of everyone else who lives nearby, he said. “You can wake up the next morning and find empty beer, wine and alcohol bottles and trash in your yard. Is the guy who threw the party going to come over and clean up your yard? I don’t think so.”

Tips from law enforcement for teens and parties include:

  • Plan in advance
  • Set a time limit
  • Schedule daytime parties that include activities, such as swimming or a movie
  • No drugs/alcohol, no smoking
  • Only invited guests allowed into the party

When teens are going to a party:

  • Call the host to make sure the party is supervised and no drugs/alcohol and smoking will be allowed
  • Make it easy for your teen to leave the party: Prearrange for him or her to call you for a ride
  • Be awake when he or she arrives home and check for signs of alcohol and drugs

Napa City Council passed the first reading of the amended ordinances last Tuesday and will have the second reading next week. For public comments and council discussion from last week's meeting, see Napa Patch editor live-blog stream at .

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.