The College Fix

As local authorities come up with plans to address house parties, they’re looking to Fort Collins, Colo., as an example.

House-party registration started in Fort Collins in the spring of 2009, and officials said the number of noise complaints filed has decreased by 46 percent since the fall of 2003, said Melissa Emerson of Fort Collins Neighborhood Resources.

The Iowa City police are now considering a similar registry after Iowa City Police Chief Sam Hargadine and University of Iowa interim vice president of Student Services Tom Rocklin attended a webinar at Colorado State. Hargadine thinks the initiative would be a “three-way deal” for police, residents, and students.

In fact, students — fed up with the $1,000 fine and required noise workshop for a disturbing-the-peace ticket — proposed the idea of a formal warning program at Colorado State.

“Our students love it, and there is a very high success rate,” Emerson said, noting that a 2009 survey showed 97 percent of students said they would register a party. “Residents are happy with the speed, and police don’t have to send officers to houses — it saves time.”

It also cuts down on citations per registered party. Over a six-week period this spring, 98 parties resulted in 13 noise complaints and only two citations written.

Read the full story at the Daily Iowan.

Like The College Fix on Facebook / Follow us on Twitter