Fort Valley police enforcing new rule limiting unapproved parties to 25 people

The temporary rule went into effect August 29 and will remain until January 5, unless extended.

FORT VALLEY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The holiday season is right around the corner, but if you’re planning on having a party in Fort Valley, make sure the guest list doesn’t include more than 25 people.

The Fort Valley Police Department is now enforcing a new temporary rule against large, unapproved parties.  

Fort Valley Police Chief DJ Flores says this measure is aimed at ensuring public safety and protecting the community. By regulating large gatherings, public safety officials hope to manage risk and maintain a safe environment for all citizens.  

“We’re just wanting to communicate with the community,” he said. “I understand that now we have an additional 4 to 6 thousand people that we’re responsible for because school (Fort Valley State University) is back in place.”

Flores says to get approval, just come to the police department and fill out an event form. 

“And what that allows me to do is look at our resources at that time,” he said. “Do we need additional personnel, police personnel to come in. Do we need to call in the fire department because it might be a fire issue. So, these are the communications I talk with the party planner about. To make sure even if they’re renting a space, that we give them that information that you’re only allowed to have these amount of people in this building.”

Penalties for violations include fines, event shutdown and possible legal action.

“It’s just a moratorium asking people to come and talk to law enforcement so we can be prepared, and we can help have an enjoyable time throughout the entire city,” he said.

Flores says safety is his number one priority.

“Everybody wants to feel safe; everybody has the right to feel safe. Because it’s not a privilege, it’s a right to be safe. And that is what I try to push into our communities is let’s just practice safety with everything that we do,” he said.

This new temporary rule went into effect August 29 and will end January 5, 2026 unless extended or lifted earlier.