Chapter 10 · Police

Article 3. Police Fees

Sections 10-301 to 10-304 · 4 sections

10-301 Fee for police responses to party.

Definitions. As used in this article, the following terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates that a different meaning is intended:

(a)Host: The person who owns or is in possession of the property where the party, gathering or event takes place, or the person in charge of the premises, or the person who organized the event. If the host is a minor, then the parents or guardians of that minor will be jointly and severally liable for the fee incurred for police services.

(b)Party, Gathering or Event: An event involving a group of persons who have assembled or are assembling for a social occasion or for a social activity.

(c)Police Services Fee: The cost to the city of any special security assignment, including, but not limited to, salaries of police officers while responding to or remaining at the party, gathering or event, the pro rata cost of equipment, the cost of repairing city equipment and property, the cost of any medical treatment of injured police officers, and the cost of reasonable attorney fees.

(d)Special Security Assignment: The assignment of police officers, services and equipment during a second or subsequent response to the party, gathering or event after the delivery of a written notice to the host that a fee may be imposed for costs incurred by the city for any subsequent police response.

(Code 2004)

10-302 Initial police responses to parties, gatherings or events.

When any police officer responds to any party, gathering or event, and that police officer determines that there is a threat to the public peace, health, safety or general welfare, the police officer shall issue a written notice to the host or hosts that a subsequent response to that same location or address within 24 hours of the first response shall be deemed a special security assignment rendered to provide security and order on behalf of the party, gathering or event and that the host may be liable for a police services fee as defined in this article.

(Code 2004)

10-303 Subsequent police responses to parties, gathering or events, liability.

If, after a written notice is issued pursuant to section 10-302, a subsequent police response or responses is necessary to the same location or address within 24 hours of the first response, such response or responses shall be deemed a special security assignment. Persons previously warned shall be jointly and severally liable for a police services fee as defined in this article, and failure to pay such fee is a violation of this Code and may be prosecuted in the municipal court of this City. Upon conviction, such fee may be ordered paid to the City as restitution.

The amount of the fee shall be a debt owned to the city by the person or person warned, and if he or she is a minor, his or her parents or guardians shall be jointly and severally liable for the debt.

(Code 2004)

10-304 Cost; collection.

The chief of police shall in writing document of the performance of a special security assignment, of the name and address of the responsible person or persons, the date and time of the incident, the services performed, the costs and such other information as may be required. The chief of police shall cause the appropriate billings to be made and shall send notice of such billing by certified mail or by personal service. Upon notification that the responsible person(s) has failed to accept such certified letter and such responsible person(s) have not been able to be served personally, the City Clerk may publish a notice in the City’s official newspaper.

(Code 2004)