Narragansett Social Host Violations

As reported by Donita Naylor in the April 15, 2011 edition of the Providence Journal, the Narragansett Police responded to more than twelve (12) parties over the weekend.   The police were able to break up the parties through the use of the town's nuisance ordinance.  The nuisance ordinance at issue resulted in a lawsuit and was declared constitutional by the federal courts earlier this year. One of the houses already had a sticker from an earlier party and the renter was ordered to appear in court or pay a fine.

Pursuant to Sec. 46-31 of the Narragansett Town Ordinance, the ordinance at issue states "a gathering of five or more persons on any private property in a manner which constitutes a substantial disturbance of the quiet enjoyment of private or public property in a significant segment of a neighborhood, as a result of conduct constituting a violation of law," is a public nuisance.   Public drunkenness,  serving alcohol to minors and excessive noise are all examples of illegal activity.  The ordinance allows the police to place a sticker on any house that is found to be violating the ordinance and fine violators, without ever having a hearing on the matter.  Property owners of the "party houses" may also face fines.