Party patrols start this weekend

Starting this weekend, and during some upcoming weekends, officers from the Bellingham Police Department, Western Washington University Police and Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office will join resources to increase party patrol efforts in the residential areas of Bellingham.

Bellingham and Western Washington University Police will provide extra staffing in this previously planned enforcement effort. The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office will provide their mobile booking vehicle – also known as the Party Bus – along with corrections officers to assist with processing the arrested individuals.

The Party Patrol is complaint-driven (if nobody complains about your party, police aren't likely to show up), so follow these tips from police if you're planning a party: 

• Keep your party a reasonable size. Social media can lead to many more people showing up than you want.
• Touch bases with your neighbors. Let them know you are planning a party and listen to their concerns, such as noise, parking and litter.
• Keep the party indoors. When the party moves outdoors, things can get loud.
• If you generate noise that unreasonably disturbs or interferes with the peace, comfort, and repose of your neighbors, the police can issue a public disturbance noise citation.
• Even if you didn’t intentionally invite anyone underage, you might end up with underage people at your party. If the Party Patrol busts your party and find that alcohol is being served or consumed, then those under 21 will be cited for a minor in possession (commonly known as an MIP). As the host, you also could receive a citation for furnishing alcohol to minors. In addition, hosts may have liabilities for neighborhood damages caused by their party guests.
• More tips on being a good neighbor.