South Kingstown Imposes $500 Fine On Off-Campus URI Parties

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RI — Ahead of the upcoming school year, South Kingstown officials are taking steps to crack down on off-campus University of Rhode Island house parties. Under a new executive order, anyone who hosts a party will face a $500 fine, while attendees will be fined $250.

"We want to get ahead of any issues with off campus parties by URI students returning for the fall semester and reiterate the expectations as good community citizens," Town Manager Rob Zarnetske said. "If you’re underage and you’re drinking at an off campus party, you can expect to be arrested, criminally charged, and fined. We’re not messing around when it comes to the public health of the community."

The executive order imposes liability on fines to landlords, tenants and parents who cosign their child's lease.

Joel Ewing-Chow, the interim chief of the South Kingstown Police Department, said officers will "strictly enforce" the town's executive orders. The town has created "COVID Enforcement Officials" to visit town restaurants, businesses and other locations to ensure social distancing and mask-wearing requirements are met.

A spokesperson for URI said the university has been working closely with South Kingstown officials to keep the town up to date about the latest preparations to return to campus, which includes an addendum to the student handbook relating to COVID-19 and both on- and off-campus activities.

"We are encouraging students to participate in University organized events as part of Orientation Week and supporting those students that must quarantine or isolate as they arrive from high-positivity states," the statement read in part. "The University will continue to work with the town and address any concerns related to URI students, but we have a long history of productive partnerships with South Kingstown and are confident that this relationship will continue this academic year. While URI was not involved in the drafting of this Executive Order, the town notified University leaders of this approach and the plans to issue the order."