AzMotorNews

PHOENIX - City officials are looking to close a loophole in Phoenix's party ordinance that has prevented commercial businesses from being charged for repeated police responses.

The City Council's public safety subcommittee voted Tuesday to amend the ordinance to include all private property, including commercial businesses.

"The ordinance has not done my district any good," said Councilwoman Peggy Bilsten, whose district includes northeast Phoenix. "We continue to work with the exact same problem we've had all the time."

Bilsten said there are a couple of problematic commercial properties in her district, including a grocery store that allows people to hang out in the parking lot.

"We have to find some way, some stick, to get these folks to pay attention," Bilsten said.

Phoenix's party ordinance was established in 1994 and amended last year to allow the Police Department to recover costs incurred when officers have to return to the scene of a residential party, gathering or event for a second time within 60 days. The ordinance capped liability at $1,000 but did not include commercial properties.

Tuesday's amendment, if approved by the City Council, will allow the city to recoup costs from commercial properties. Councilman Dave Siebert said the ordinance will be reviewed again in six months to determine if the $1,000 liability cap is sufficient for commercial properties or if it should be raised.

In the meantime, Siebert said, "We might as well go forward and put this in place for all properties."