College town approves off-campus party crackdown

The Associated Press

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Tired of off-campus parties that are anything but fun for nearby homeowners, elected leaders in this college town on Monday unanimously approved new laws cracking down on nuisance party hosts and their landlords.

The ordinances include tougher punishments for loud or rowdy social gatherings of 10 or more people and define 16 different nuisance activities, from drug dealing and prostitution to littering and blocking traffic.

Violations can result in fines ranging from $500 to $4,000. In the case of repeated nuisance parties, the city could close the property for up to one year, the Columbia Missourian reported Tuesday.

The changes take effect Aug. 1 to coincide with the next crop of incoming renters.

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Information from: Columbia Missourian, http://www.digmo.org