Contrary to mistaken indications from the city of Billings, the big hand of government is not poised to come down on backyard get-togethers.
The confusion arose from a display ad the city placed on the Billings Gazette website. The ad copy read: “New noise and open container laws are now in effect in the City limits.”
If you clicked on the ad for more information, it took you to a page of the Billings Police Department’s policy manual. The salient portion of that manual said: “An open container permit will be completed by individuals who will be hosting private parties i.e. wedding receptions/family reunions, etc where music and alcohol will be served in their backyards. There will be a $20 fee per date.”
Police Chief Rich St. John said he didn’t know where that “very poorly worded” clause came from.
“We have no intention whatsoever to drop the black helicopter big government on your backyard barbecue,” he said.
City Administrator Tina Volek said the ad was placed in the Gazette after the City Council passed a revised noise ordinance last summer.
The revisions were drawn up mainly in response to complaints about loud construction projects in residential areas. Because of the very hot weather early last summer, construction crews were regularly starting work well before dawn, and at least one roofing crew was working well past dusk, she said.
On top of that, council members had been hearing a load of complaints about outdoor live music going late into the evening, particularly at the Squire Lounge on Broadwater Avenue.
New policies on open container requests, which would help regulate public alcohol consumption, including events involving live music, were also drafted.
Somehow, the police policy manual was updated with wording that seemed to signal a crackdown on backyard parties. St. John said it was a case of “ready, fire, aim.”
“We’re talking about the organized functions,” he said. “I guarantee you we don’t care about backyard parties unless you infringe on the neighborhood peace.”
Compounding the confusion, Volek said, was that the Gazette ad, which was supposed to have been pulled long ago, perhaps months ago, continued to run online, and continued to link to the erroneous wording in the policy manual.
She said the ad has now been pulled and St. John said the policy manual wording will be changed.
