Norwich slaps fines on drinking in public after July downtown shooting. Why and how much?

NORWICH — It’s going to cost more to drink where you’re not supposed to in Norwich.

The fine for drinking in public where alcohol isn’t permitted is now set at $50, as approved during Monday’s City Council meeting.

Section 13- 14.2 of the Norwich Code of Ordinances prohibits open containers of alcohol “on any street, road, alley, parking lot or sidewalk in the city and on any grounds owned by or under the control of the city, except when a permit has been issued for same by proper authorities.”

One reason for doing this is that there was no fine attached to this ordinance prior, and it would make sense to bring it in line with the $50 fine for drinking on school and park grounds, said Norwich Police Chief Pat Daley on Monday night.

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Daley also looked at fines from other towns in the area. While $250 was the highest, most were $99 or less, he said.

The downtown shooting in July also prompted the police department to look at quality of life issues, and reached out to the courthouse, the St. Vincent de Paul Place, and nearby businesses.

“They didn’t like the character of the downtown area, and what was going on, “ Daley said.

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After consulting with others, the idea of a set fine came up, as it gives Norwich officers the ability to issue an infraction. The intent is to take this burden off the court and send it to the Centralized Infractions Bureau, having those pleading not guilty appear before a magistrate rather than a judge, which still maintains due process, Daley said.

It also gives officers the ability to issue a summons for repeat offenders. Officers can also run names through the National Crime Information Center database to check for outstanding warrants, Daley said.