By this time next week, Macomb could have some new rules in place to control large and loud parties.
Aldermen reviewed the four ordinances during their February 27 Committee of the Whole meeting.
The one that generated the most discussion concerns nuisance parties. Fifth Ward Alderman Dave Dorsett asked about the section dealing with loud and raucous noise from parties. He wondered who made the determination.
“Is that at the officer's discretion?” Dorsett asked.
City Attorney Kristen Petrie responded, “It would be my understanding...that it would be based on an officer's interpretation.”
Sixth Ward Alderman Tim Lobdell then questioned whether this meant a departure from the city's current complaint-driven system regarding large parties. Petrie said it did.
“That would be my understanding that, yes, this does give a certain amount of discretion to an officer absent a specific complaint due to the fact that there can be one of any number of activities occurring,” Petrie said.
Police Chief Curt Barker assured aldermen that his officers won't patrol streets looking to break up every party they encounter. He called the ordinances “the tools” that his department needs to deal with parties that get out of control.
No one from the public commented on the proposed new ordinances. Mayor Mike Inman said that's an indication the city is headed in the right direction.
“We're having every opportunity for folks to come and put in their two-cents worth,” Inman said, adding they still have a chance to comment on March 5, which is when aldermen will be asked to approve the four ordinances.
Two of the other new ordinances deal with mass gatherings and with failing to disperse. The final ordinance grants new powers to the mayor in his role as liquor commissioner.
