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With leases ending in May, students have begun the search for apartments. In Orono, some leases contain clauses reflecting a town ordinance in effect for five years – one that penalizes residents for having police called on them.
The Town of Orono can take a resident to court for civil action if the police have been called to their house often or have a considerable amount of disorderly conduct slips.
Some landlords have written in their leases that residents may be fined per call or evicted after a certain number of offenses.
“The calls could be for band practice, or for parties with 10, 15, 200 people,” said Sergeant Scripture of the Orono Police Department, “any disorderly event.”
According to Scripture, the ordinance originated from a problem with certain residents in town. Since it has been in effect, there has been a decrease in large parties and landlords tend to be stricter.
Cross Management, which has been in business for more than 25 years, charges $200 per disorderly conduct report.
“It did not factor into my decision,” said Sam Green, a current resident of Founder’s Landing, a Cross Management complex. “I figured that I could handle parties well enough to not get caught.”
Chad Bradbury, co-owner of KC Management, has been a landlord since 2001.
“The police have been writing people up more for underage drinking,” Bradbury said of the ordinance. “But no, I don’t think it did any good.”
Bradbury maintains that although the ordinance was made with the best of intentions, he’s never been threatened to be taken to court. Nor has he heard of it.
“Our policy is: The first time is a mistake, the second time is a problem; and the third time, it’s three strikes, you’re out,” Bradbury said.
Bangor Daily News