Jackson tightens city ordinance on disorderly conduct

JACKSON, Mo. -- The owners of property where people are charged with disturbing the peace can now be prosecuted under city ordinance.

The Jackson Board of Aldermen amended the city's disorderly house ordinance Monday night to provide for the offense of maintaining a disorderly house.

City Attorney Thomas Ludwig said the amendment was made in response to enforcement problems that have been occurring in the city where people are disturbing the peace or assembling unlawfully.

"This allows the police to charge the owner of the home," Ludwig said.

"Ultimately, this forces the parents and grandparents and people who don't care as much as they should to take some responsibility," added Mayor Paul Sander.

The ordinance took effect immediately.

In other business Monday, the board approved a special-use permit for Dr. Terry Spence to operate a dental office at 833 Broadridge Drive, property that is zoned R-3 general residential.

The Southeast Missouri Medical Center Inc. previously had tried and failed to have 19.1 acres at the southwest corner of Broadridge and Independence rezoned local commercial. The tract included the 833 Broadridge Drive location.

sblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182