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Council approves nuisance-gatherings ordinance defining enforcement steps for parties
Summary
Ordinance 2026-23 was adopted to create a prohibition on nuisance gatherings; police may deem gatherings of 10+ with two violations a nuisance, issue warnings, then issue citations to hosts and noncompliant attendees.
The Mount Vernon City Council adopted Ordinance 2026-23 on July 6 to create a city code section prohibiting nuisance gatherings. City Manager Nathan McKenna presented the ordinance for second reading and Police Chief Robert Brands explained the enforcement standard: events of 10 or more people that generate multiple complaints can be declared nuisance gatherings by a shift commander; officers will give warnings and then issue citations to hosts and participants who refuse to leave.
Council Member Donte Moore asked for clarification on the role of shift commanders in enforcement; Chief Brands confirmed commanders determine when complaints amount to a nuisance and that qualifying offenses are currently misdemeanors under city ordinance. The ordinance passed by the four members present (Young absent).
