LANCASTER STATION
UNIT ORDER # 74
LOUD PARTIES AND THE USE OF LMC 9.48.050
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this order is to establish procedures for handling loud party calls and enforcing Lancaster City Ordinance 9.48.050 and Los Angeles County Ordinance 13.42.010 in accordance with Field Operations Directive 07-02.
ORDER:
Deputies shall adhere to Field Operations Directive 07-02 (issued 04-27-07, replacing FOD 86-30) when responding to loud parties. Refer to attached copies. In addition to the requirements of the FOD, Lancaster Station deputies shall adhere to the following:
Handling disturbances in the city of Lancaster
Calls to unusually large parties or events within the city of Lancaster shall be dispatched as priority calls. A field sergeant shall be assigned to these calls.
At the first response to a loud party, deputies may give a verbal warning or issue a citation (City Administrative Citation or an LASD Notice to Appear if the incident is to be handled criminally) if the disturbance is particularly egregious. If a warning is given, the deputy should advise if a second call is received, the fine for the violation is $500 and the responsible person or persons “shall be jointly and severally liable for all actual costs and expenses incurred by the city during second or subsequent responses.”
Upon returning to the same location, due to a noise disturbance call within 30 days of the first response, deputies shall issue a citation to the responsible person or persons. Deputies may cite using an Administrative Citation (preferred) or an LASD Notice to Appear if the incident is to be handled criminally.
Deputies should use LMC 9.22.050 when citing the hosts of loud parties. If the responsible party refuses to sign an administrative citation, deputies shall wright “REFUSED” in the signature box and submit the citation.
Administrative citations shall be placed in the traffic citation box. The City Special Assignment Deputy will file completed citations with the City who will issue a Written Reimbursement Notice to the responsible person. If the violator is cited on an LASD Notice to Appear, the violation shall be charged as a misdemeanor and the citation shall be attached with the complaint report.
When deputies receive a subpoena regarding a City Administrative Citation, a blank Statement of Facts will be attached. The deputy shall fill out the Statement of Facts and return it to the City Special Assignment Deputy. A completed Statement of Facts is not a substitute for appearance at the administrative hearing; deputies shall appear as directed in the subpoena.
Handling disturbances in unincorporated areas
Calls of unusually large parties in unincorporated areas shall be dispatched as priority calls. A field sergeant shall be assigned to these calls.
Deputies shall issue a “Loud Party” disturbance violation notice (SH-CR-623) on the first response to a loud party, major or minor, occurring in an unincorporated area, when appropriate. (FOD 07-02, pages 2-3).
The process will be reviewed by the assigned sergeant, who will have the collateral duty of querying RAPS and LARCIS to verify a notice was issued on the first response to a loud party.
Advance notice of parties
When personnel receive advance notice of an unusually large party or event, they shall inform the field sergeant. The field sergeant shall respond to the location to advise the host of his/her legal rights, responsibilities, and liabilities, and seek his/her cooperation.
A copy of the Department’s publication “Planning a Large Party” shall be given to the host.
The field sergeant shall prepare a briefing regarding the party. The briefing shall contain the following:
The field sergeant shall post the pertinent information on the briefing board, and ensure all deputy personnel working during the hours of the party are briefed.
Documentation of Actions
All large parties where we are required to take action shall be documented.
The field supervisor shall notify the watch commander of the following:
The watch commander shall note this information in the watch commander’s log.
References (attached)
FOD 07-02: LOUD PARTY DISTURBANCES
LACO 13.42.010
LMC 9.22.050: DISTURBING, EXCESSIVE, LOUD, OR OFFENSIVE NOISE