Tempe City Council has put its foot down on nuisance activities and loud parties, passing updates to city ordinances that aim to keep the peace more effectively. These newly minted rules, which were approved on May 1 and are set to roll out come June, are the result of a long dance between residents' complaints, public forums, and city officials aiming to thread the needle of maintaining both serenity and fairness in Tempe's neighborhoods.
The ordinance updates were shepherded by the Nuisance Ordinance Council Subcommittee, chaired by Vice Mayor Doreen Garlid, with Mayor Corey Woods and Councilmember Arlene Chin lending their hands in the effort. According to a communiqué from the city detailed at Tempe Council's announcement, Garlid stated, "These changes give us the tools to protect neighborhood safety while ensuring police and fire resources are focused where they’re needed most." She further solidified her stance on protecting the standard of living for Tempe's denizens, underlying the importance of accountability and fairness through the new regulations.
The local government is dialing up the pressure on repeat offenders, making it costlier for frequent violators with steeper fines and designating problematic properties as Community Impact Properties. This move forces owners to get involved and take corrective measures. Not just noisy college students throwing ragers are in the crosshairs. Landlords and tenants alike might find themselves faced with heightened responsibility for continuous disruptions. And for the health care facilities crying wolf to the emergency services, there will now be financial penalties for overtaxing 911 with non-urgent calls due to inadequate staffing.
Furthermore, the city is looking to ensure that threats to safety are addressed with greater urgency, allowing a more swift intervention for hazardous properties. The new ordinances grant police additional powers to tackle violent crimes, drug activities, and clear blocked emergency access routes.
