Statement from Gila River Indian Community Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis on the Newly Adopted Dances Ordinance
PRESS RELEASE
Communications & Public Affairs Office
GILA RIVER INDIAN COMMUNITY – On May 20, the Community Council lifted the moratorium on all dances within the Community and adopted an amended Dances Ordinance. The amendments place stricter regulations on dance permits and create harsher penalties for those who violate the ordinance. These changes were made to ensure the public safety of the Community is of the utmost priority. Below please find the new requirements, regulations, and penalties, as well as the provisions that remain unchanged from the previous Dances Ordinance:
New Requirements & Regulations:
• All dances now require a permit, regardless of the dance location and number of attendees.
• Permit fee increased to $150.
• Security deposit of $500 required and will be returned to the dance Sponsor only if no issues arise before, during, or after the dance.
• All dances must conclude by 11:59 pm on the date of the dance.
• A limit of one dance permit per night in Districts One through Four, and one dance permit per night in Districts Five through Seven.
• Notice must be provided to the Gila River Police Department at least ten (10) business days prior to the date of the proposed dance.
• Notice must be posted at the appropriate District Service Center at least ten (10) calendar days before the date of the proposed dance.
• Bands must display the dance permit while playing at the dance.
• All dances require two (2) GRPD police officers to be secured at the dance Sponsor’s own expense. NOTE: This requirement is in addition to the four (4) chaperones required.
New Penalties for violation:
• Failure to obtain a dance permit may result in fines up to $5,000 and may include jail time up to six months for nonpermitted dances involving nonbodily injury, and up to $5,000 and mandatory jail time up to one year for nonpermitted dances involving bodily injury.
• Liability may be placed on the dance Sponsor’s family members for damages that exceed the $500 security deposit, including garnishment of per capita and GRIC Payroll payments.
• Bands may have equipment confiscated and/or fines between $500 to $1,000 for not displaying the valid dance permit while playing at the dance.
All previous provisions of the Dances Ordinance remain unchanged, including:
• Written or verbal notification must be provided to persons residing in the immediate vicinity surrounding the location of the dance.
• A copy of the dance permit must be present at the location of the dance and produced upon the request of a GRPD officer.
• The dance Sponsor is responsible for the actions of the participants present at the dance.
• The laws of the Community as codified in the GRIC Code shall at all times and in all respects be strictly enforced, including Title 14, Alcoholic Beverages, Title 5, Section 8.521, Participating in or Assisting a Criminal Street Gang, and Title 8, Chapter 12, Nuisances.
• All chaperones must be sober and identified to dance attendees as a chaperone by announcement or other feature, and the Sponsor shall designate one chaperone as the lead.
• If a violation of any rule is observed by a GRPD officer, the officer may order the dance to cease until such time as the dance is in full compliance with the Dance Ordinance.
• No dance shall play any radio, stereo, musical instrument, or other amplified music system that incorporates the use of loudspeakers or amplified sound in such a manner or with such volume as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort, or repose of any person or neighborhood in the vicinity.
A copy of the newly adopted Dances Ordinance in its entirety is available upon request at each District Service Center.
Let’s work together to ensure our Community events align with our Codes and Ordinances, and that the public safety of the Community remains the utmost priority for everyone’s well-being.