{"id":13664,"date":"2024-09-30T09:37:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-30T16:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dps.usc.edu\/?page_id=13664"},"modified":"2026-04-17T17:20:01","modified_gmt":"2026-04-18T00:20:01","slug":"loud-or-unruly-gathering-ordinance","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dps.usc.edu\/loud-or-unruly-gathering-ordinance\/","title":{"rendered":"Loud or Unruly Gathering Ordinance"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Loud or Unruly Gathering Ordinance<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

L.U.G.O.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The USC Department of Public Safety receives and responds to a significant volume of noise complaints reported in the USC area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is a Loud or Unruly Gathering?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Per the LAPD noise ordinance – Sec. 41.57. Loud and Raucous Noise Prohibited and Sec. 41.58. Loud Party Second Response Fee<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LOUD PARTY:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Any party, gathering or event where a police officer at the scene determines that there is a threat to the public peace, health, safety or general welfare. (LAMC Sec. 41.58(5))<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RESPONSIBLE PERSON:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The person or persons who own, lease, reside or is in charge of the premises where the Loud Party, takes place; or the person or persons who organized the Loud Party. If the Responsible Person is a minor, then the parents or guardians will also be considered aResponsible Party and be jointly and severally liable for the Second Response Service Fee imposed by this section. (LAMC Sec. 41.58(6))<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FIRST RESPONSE NOTICE:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

 A notice issued by a police officer pursuant to this section advising a Responsible Person that a Loud Party is taking place and that the disturbance must cease. (LAMC Sec. 41.58(4))<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SECOND RESPONSE NOTICE:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A notice issued by a police officer pursuant to this section assessing a| Second Response Services Fee for a second, or subsequent, response to a Loud Party. (LAMC Sec. 41.58(7))<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AUTHORIZATION TO ASSESS A SECOND RESPONSE FEE:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Whenever a Loud Party occurs, a police officer may issue a First Response Notice to a Responsible Person that the disturbance must cease. A second, or subsequent, response by a police officer, upon the issuing of a Second Response Notice, may result in the imposition of a Second Response Service Fee to recover Special Security Costs. (LAMC Sec. 41.58(b))<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FAILURE TO <\/strong>COMPLY\/NONCOMPLIANCE:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The USC Student Handbook – Page 15<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Failure to comply with directives of university officials acting in the performance of their duties or resisting or obstructing such university officials in the performance of their duties\u2014including failure to carry and\/or provide upon request appropriate USC student identification\u2014is prohibited. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

DISORDERLY CONDUCT:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The USC Student Handbook – Page 1<\/em>3<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Disorderly conduct is prohibited and is defined as one or more of the following: \u2022 Any unreasonable or reckless conduct by a student\/organization that is inherently or potentially unsafe to other persons or their real or personal property. \u2022 Any behavior by a student\/organization that disrupts the peace or interferes with the normal operation of the university or universitysponsored activities including but not limited to study, teaching, research, officially invited speakers, university administration, public safety, or fire, police or emergency services, or other authorized activity. Integrity and Accountability: Student Community Expectations Disorderly conduct includes but is not limited to reckless driving, excessive noise\/violating published USC guidelines regarding amplification equipment and noise, blocking access on a public walk\/ throughway, and\/or urinating in public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

A reminder that it also a violation of the California Penal Code section 415:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Under Penal Code \u00a7 415 PC<\/strong>, California law defines the crime of disturbing the peace<\/strong> as doing any of the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. playing excessively loud music<\/strong>,<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    1. fighting in public, or<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
        \n
      1. using certain offensive language or fighting words.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        Disturbing the peace<\/strong> charges can be filed as either a misdemeanor<\/a> or a noncriminal infraction<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        <\/div>\n\n\n\n

        How to file a complaint: <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        UPC: Non-Emergency 213-740-6000<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        HSC: Non-Emergency 323-442-1200<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        <\/div>\n\n\n\n

        Sources: <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        LAPD Noise Ordinance<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        USC Student Handbook<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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