Following a couple of raging parties in the neighborhoods surrounding Bradley University, Second District Councilperson Barbara Van Auken promised to propose “a $1,000 fine for both the host(s) and the property owner if it’s owner-occupied.” That proposal will be presented to the City Council at tomorrow evening’s meeting.

The municipal code already has the following fines in place:

(a) A person who knowingly enters or remains in any house, building, yard or other premises, other than premises licensed to sell alcoholic liquor, under circumstances where the person knows or reasonably should know that alcoholic liquor is being illegally possessed or consumed by persons under the age of 21 years shall be guilty of a petty offense and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than $200.00 nor more than $500.00.

(b) It is unlawful for a parent, legal guardian or other person to knowingly permit a person under the age of 18 years old in his or her custody to violate the provisions of subsection (a) of this section. Any person convicted of a violation of this subsection shall be fined not less than $500.00.

The ordinance requested by Van Auken would add the following:

(c) Any owner or person in actual or constructive possession of a property, including, but not limited to, an occupant or tenant of property who suffers, allows, consents to, acquiesces by failure to prevent, or expressly assents or agrees to a violation of paragraph (a) of this section shall be guilty of a petty offense and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than $1,000.00.

It is hoped that this ordinance will motivate property owners and landlords to evict chronic disturbers of the peace by hitting them where it hurts — in their pocketbook. I wonder how property managers feel about this ordinance. I can tell you that homeowners and responsible renters in Bradley’s adjacent neighborhoods love it.