SLO is doubling fines for noise, gatherings to prevent coronavirus spread
San Luis Obispo residents who continue to party and gather in large groups during the emergency stay-at-home order could pay hefty fines, as city officials try to encourage social distancing to prevent the spread of new coronavirus.
In response to reports of people not abiding the order to isolate themselves and an increase in noise complaints as residents hunker down in city neighborhoods, the San Luis Obispo City Council on Tuesday night voted to activate so-called “safety enhancement zones.” That allows the city to charge double fines for certain minor violations.
The special rules — approved by an ordinance in 2013 — are typically enacted over historically rowdy party weeks, such as Halloween and St. Patrick’s Day.
In a unanimous vote, the council approved a request by the police department to charge up to twice the standard fine, and up to $1,000 for safety issues such as so-called “unruly gatherings,” noise, public urination and open containers of alcohol — all which fit under the city’s policies for safety enhancement enforcement within San Luis Obispo’s municipal code.
Unruly gatherings consist of 20 or more people on private property that causes a substantial disturbance to a neighborhood.
San Luis Obispo Police Capt. Jeff Smith said early Tuesday that the department will be taking a “zero tolerance” approach and will not be issuing warnings.
SLO gets social distancing complaints during coronavirus
The heightened enforcement will apply through the duration of the declared local emergency imposed by San Luis Obispo on March 17, which runs through at least April 30, or the duration of the countywide shelter-at-home order, with the possibility for re-evaluation thereafter, city attorney Christine Dietrick said.
“We have received complaints that that folks aren’t respecting social distancing orders and these are tools to address it,” Dietrick said.
“The objective is not to have to use these tools,” she said. “I think for the most part people are doing an extraordinary job of getting us through this and helping to take care of one another. But it’s appropriate to have a tool available.”
Data shows that noise complaints in the city aren’t as prevalent they used to be.
According to a city staff report, the city received 1,228 noise complaints in 2019, a 52% decrease from 2009. But data shows that citations and disturbance advisement cards, handed out as warnings, have not decreased as much.
Police credit better neighborhood outreach for the decline in complaints as well as a party registration program launched in 2017. Party registration provides eligible events the ability to receive a 20-minute phone warning if the police department receives a noise complaint.
Some San Luis Obispo landlords are warning their residents about the crackdown.
Property management company warns tenants
On Tuesday morning, California West Real Estate, one of the city’s largest property management companies, sent a mass email to tenants saying that the police department contacted local property managers to inform them officers are “operating on a ‘zero tolerance’ model during the shelter at home order.”
“According to the notice that we received, this means no warnings will be offered for noise violations and depending on what happens (Tuesday) at a city council meeting fines may be doubled for noise, unruly gathering, open container and public urination violations,” the email read.
The company warned that, in addition to city fines, renters in violation will also have to pay an additional $300 fee to California West “for our efforts in processing such violations and furthermore you will have to reimburse the property owner for any fines assessed against them.”
“Under present circumstances, a single ill advised gathering could easily end up costing well in excess of your monthly rent,” the email read. “The current situation is serious and local authorities are treating it as such. You should as well.”
This story was originally published April 8, 2020 at 11:49 AM.
