Property owners can now be cited as part of a police crackdown on house parties in Moraga.
The normally quiet East Bay town has been inundated with off-campus parties thrown by Saint Mary's College students. Since August, police have issued party warning notices to 38 people at 13 different incidents. Most of the warnings were issued on Ascot Drive, not far from the Saint Mary's campus.
Residents said they are frustrated with the loud parties.
"Every weekend or so," resident Melissa Davis said of the parties. "It's kind of a consistent thing on Friday nights. You just see lots of college kids trooping up the hill."
Moraga Police Chief Robert Priebe said the parties have gotten out of hand and something needed to be done. In response, property owners will now be cited when neighbors complain about loud and unruly partying.
"By doing it this way we ensure that there will be someone that is going to be responsible," Priebe said. "Obviously, the owner has a lot more control of what happens on their property."
Meanwhile, college students said the crackdown is not only changing the party scene, but making it harder to find a place to live off campus.
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Saint Mary's College officials said with limited on-campus living options more students are forced to live off school grounds, which could be part of what is triggering the increase in house parties.
College authorities said they are working to add more on-campus housing and are also taking action against students caught throwing house parties.
