Montgomery County leaders introduce bill to deter illegal house parties
Montgomery County councilmembers Andrew Friedson and Dawn Luedtke recently introduced Bill 13-25 which would fine people up to $5,000 if they don't have the right permits for a party. Currently, the maximum fine is only $500.
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Neighbors in the Woodfield Estates community in Gaithersburg said they're fed up with illegal house parties happening in their neighborhood.
'It's just mindboggling that this is even allowed to exist,' Seth, who's lived in the community for 10 years, said. 'This is not a not club.'
They said one home in the neighborhood has been the site of several illegal house parties for three years.
'It's just a sea of people displaying all different kinds of lewd behavior,' Seth said. 'Obviously, like drunk and intoxicated in public. People trespassing, coming on my property, my neighbors' property. Driving on our properties, going to the bathroom on our properties.'
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Seth said he and others call the police when the parties are taking place. Officers often tell them there's not much they can do.
'There are people who are genuinely scared,' he said. 'When you've got people here for a party that you don't know who they are, or where they are, or where they belong to, nor does the person hosting the party.'
Seth said Council passing Bill 13-25 would be a step in the right direction, but not a long-term solution to the problem.
'I'm all for the legislation,' he said. 'This has been years in the making. Again, what are you going to do to enforce it?'
As for that home where the parties are supposed to have taken place, DC News Now talked to the owner, Eric Tataw. He said a friend was responsible for two parties last year.
'I asked the friend to leave because he had the first and the second, and when the police came, I said, 'You know what? It has to stop, and you have to leave,'' Tawtaw said.
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Tataw said he is in favor of the proposed legislation to increase fines for illegal house parties.
'That's a proactive approach from County Council,' he said. 'I support that 100%.'
The Council has scheduled a public hearing for Bill 13-25 on Tuesday, June 10.
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