Changes Ordered in Anti-Noise Proposal

The Los Angeles City Council’s Public Safety Committee ordered a revision Monday of a proposed ordinance that would fine hosts of loud parties $500 if police are called at least twice in one night.

Committee Chairman Richard Alatorre ordered the section of the ordinance requiring the complaining neighbor to sign a form before the fine could be issued to be rewritten.

The ordinance was proposed by Councilman Michael Woo, who said the impetus was to make party hosts responsible for the costs of having police make repeated visits to their home because of excessive noise.

On the first visit, the officer would warn the host, giving him or her a copy of the city law. If police are called a second time, a fine could be imposed if the person doing the complaining signs a complaint form.

Alatorre said he agreed in principle with such a law but said certain language in the draft of the ordinance, written by the city attorney’s office, should be clarified so officers can fine the host without a complainant’s signature.

“I think if there’s a loud party, say by a member of a gang, I don’t think it is realistic that a person should have to file a complaint before a police officer could impose a fine,� Alatorre said.