East Lansing might resemble a residence hall "quiet floor" if city officials get their way.
When considering the addition of drinking games as a sixth party indicator for the current noise ordinance, City Council officials decided to also contemplate a complete overhaul of the ordinance. In addition to drinking games being added as an indicator, jail time for offenders might be eliminated.
But when you look at this "noise ordinance" and all the party indicators, it seems less like a law against noise and more like a ban on parties in East Lansing.
With the possibility of drinking games becoming a party indicator, the other five indicators are a common source of alcohol, a live band, admittance fee or drinking charge, amplified sound outside the building and more than one person per 20 square feet on the premises.
Individually, few of these are illegal. Several don't necessarily even make noise.
But, say there were 300 people with a keg, who weren't making a peep — because they would be exhibiting at least two party indicators, they could be fined for violating the noise ordinance.
Officials say that no one has gone to jail for an unruly party so far. Jail time has been simply in place as the "heavy hammer" deterrent.
Officials are also considering implementing a designated time frame in which the ordinance takes effect. Supposedly, if students have a party any time other than 11 p.m.-7 a.m., they wouldn't be fined under the noise ordinance.
Not that anyone would have a party during the day, but wouldn't that be just as disruptive — if not more — than at night or early morning?
One thing about these noise ordinance proposals is for certain: Parties in East Lansing look to be on the verge of extinction.
While the City Council is restructuring the ordinance, it should title it more appropriately. Such as the "anti-party" or "anti-have-fun" law.
Students and permanent residents need to seriously question and challenge what the city is trying to accomplish.
Giving students fines for noise is one thing, but fining them because they're college students is another.
