The sight of a police officer arriving to deliver a neighbor's complaint is nothing new for VCU senior and Fan resident Kemi Owens-Hart. Owens-Hart's residence is on a list of 41 "party houses" tagged online by the Party Patrol - a task force consisting of VCU administration, VCU police, Richmond police, the Fan District Association and Councilman Bill Pantele. The patrol's purpose is to look into noise complaints, destruction of property and other party-related offenses in the Fan area.
The tagging makes Owens-Hart feel disconnected from the Fan community.
"I find it (being tagged) ridiculous," Owens-Hart said. "Everyone has a right to their own peace, but we're paying rent."
"I think the student residents and the Fan residents get a bad rap on one another." -Jim Vigeant, Fan District Association liason to VCUJim Vigeant, the Fan District Association's liaison to VCU, said both student residents and older residents are fed misinformation that generates mutual animosity.
"It's not the Fan residents wanting to put a damper on parties," Vigeant said. "Parties are not the problem. What happens when someone gets out of control at a party is what tends to be the problem."
Common misconceptions are that older Fan homeowners do not party, and that the Fan District Association objects to students partying responsibly, Vigeant said.
Renters may petition for the removal of their residences from the Party Patrol's list, but Vigeant said the process is easier for long-term homeowners.
Owens-Hart said her residence, previously a fraternity house, was tagged before she moved in, and now any parties she hosts are immediately the focus of foundationless complaints.
"Since renters cycle yearly, I think it's kind of unfair," Owens-Hart said. "I think it's really funny they created a Party Patrol instead of dealing with the countless other problems this city has."
Darin Leleux, 33, is a fan resident whose home remains tagged because of its previous tenants' excessive partying. Leleux said he expects some partying considering his residence's proximity to a major university campus.
"There is trash and noise, but then again, you live in a college town," Leleux said. "People should probably mind their own business."
Not all VCU students strongly object to the Party Patrol. VCU student and former Fan resident Josie Davis said she has not encountered conflict with neighbors or the patrol.
"I never had any issues, never had any complaints," Davis said. "Most people are pretty responsible."
Vigeant said the Party Patrol, which started making rounds this semester on Jan. 13, serves an important purpose for all residents of the Fan - student or otherwise.
"It does not say 'Student Party Control Patrol.' It says 'Party Patrol,' " Vigeant said. "(The Party Patrol) is being used to support complaints by a resident who may be living there for 10 years and has seen over and over again the transient situation of the renting student body, or anybody,"
Vigeant said landlords need to be held accountable, as well.
"Absentee landlords are a huge problem in any community . . . where rental properties are high in percentage versus homeowner-occupied situations," Vigeant said.
As the lead board member of a program called Block Management, Vigeant is working with VCU's Student Government Association to encourage volunteerism in the student Fan community. The Block Management program aims to improve Fan street lighting and the condition of sidewalks, as well as make the Fan safer and cleaner.
" 'Us and them' represents divisive situations," Vigeant said. "I think the student residents and the Fan residents get a bad rap on one another."
Student guide to defining and reporting 'nuisances'
The Party Patrol tours the Fan Friday and Saturday from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Fan residents can report noise disturbances, destruction of property and underage drinking by calling (804) 317-2840.
The City of Richmond Noise Ordinance states, "It shall be unlawful to create or to assist in creating any unreasonably loud and disturbing noise in the city. Noise of such character, intensity and duration as to be detrimental to the life or health of any person or to unreasonably disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of any person is hereby prohibited."
According to the ordinance, any person in violation may be charged with a Class 2 misdemeanor, and offenses occurring on separate days will be considered separate incidents by the courts. The document also states that if the source of noise complaints cannot be determined, any person physically present where the noise occurs is presumed guilty.
The Code of Virginia states, "All houses, boathouses, buildings, club or fraternity or lodge rooms, boats, cars and places of every description where alcoholic beverages are manufactured, stored, sold, dispensed, given away or used contrary to law, by any scheme or device whatever, shall be deemed common nuisances."
The Code also states that it is illegal for any person to assist or "knowingly associate" with others in maintaining a common nuisance, under penalty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. However, an owner or renter is not considered guilty unless it can be proven that they were aware of the unlawful activity and had the ability or right to stop the activity.
