CHADRON, Neb. - Chadron city and school officials are wrestling with how to control "party houses" full of underage drinkers.

An ordinance that would give police authority to write citations to those who allow their property to be used for underage drinking parties found support this past week.

The so-called party house ordinance, given second reading Monday by the Chadron City Council, makes it a nuisance offense to hold a party at which five or more people younger than 21 are present and alcoholic beverages are consumed by anyone younger than 21, other than a permanent resident of the house.

Also given nuisance status under the ordinance is a house at which illegal acts including underage consumption of alcohol take place, or where a gathering causes disturbance to neighbors.

The ordinance would give police a way to target underage drinking that would be more effective than the current laws, police chief Tim Lordino said.

When police respond to a large party, it is difficult and sometimes unsafe to try to issue citations to all of those present who are drinking illegally, he said. "This would target the people who are holding the parties," he said.

Although the ordinance would likely affect people who are renting a property, police would also inform the landlord in writing that a citation has been issued, Lordino said. If there are repeat violations and the landlord has not taken action, a citation could be written against the landlord as well, he said, but added that police expect to work cooperatively with property owners.

"A letter from the police gives the property owner leverage to evict a tenant," he said.

Getting a notice from the police that a citation had been issued for a party on a rental property would be welcome, landlord Matt Reeves said.

"We would like to be notified," he said. "We favor it."

And Chadron City Schools also favor the ordinance as a support to the district's policies on drug and alcohol testing, according to Bruce Parish, Chadron High School activities director. "This would be an improvement on what's happening now," he said.

Speaking as a homeowner, Parish said he also supports the proposal, because loud parties affect entire neighborhoods.

"A party affects three or four blocks with traffic, litter and noise," he said.

No one spoke in opposition to the ordinance, although council member Don Thompson said he has some reservations about how it conforms to the First and Fourth amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

The third reading of the measure will be Nov. 3.