Increased Nuisance Party Fines, Immediate Towing Designated During Weekend

In response to concerns about large house parties, noise, excessive drinking, unsafe behavior, and illegal parking during the weekend before the start of Iowa State University classes, the Ames City Council recently approved changes to the City Code to address these issues. These changes would apply only to the weekend of Friday, Aug 19 through Sunday, Aug. 21.

On Saturday, Aug. 20, vehicles that are illegally parked on streets from Lincoln Way south to Mortensen Road and from Beach Avenue west to State Avenue are subject to immediate towing. The immediate towing is necessary to ensure emergency vehicles have access to neighborhoods or residents.

"In past years, narrow residential streets have been lined with parking where it has been difficult to get a police vehicle through. It would be nearly impossible to get an ambulance or fire truck to an incident," said Ames Police Chief Geoff Huff. "We want to get the word out now to minimize any towing. Motorists should read the signs carefully and not rely on how other vehicles are parking."

From 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19, through 4 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 21, the fine for being cited with a nuisance party is $650 for the first offense and $855 for the second offense. Nuisance parties are social gatherings where there is public intoxication, unlawful consumption, possession, sale, furnishing, or dispensing of alcohol; outdoor urination/defecation; littering; destruction of property; unlawful pedestrian or vehicular traffic; obstruction of the flow of traffic; unlawful loud noise; fighting or other conduct that threatens people or property.

This year, the City of Ames and the University have partnered to create Cyclone Welcome Weekend from Friday, Aug. 19 through Sunday, Aug. 21. The schedule of events provides safe and fun ways for our ISU students to discover Ames for the first time or return for another great year. Outdoor movies, games with prizes, entertainment options, and food is available on campus, and different activities are scheduled throughout the weekend in Downtown Ames and the Furman Aquatic Center. Many activities require ISU student identification to participate.

For a detailed schedule of student events, go to: Cyclone Welcome Weekend | Division of Student Affairs (iastate.edu)