Norwich ― The city’s crackdown on nuisance public drinking now has some enforcement teeth.

The City Council voted unanimously Monday to amend an ordinance prohibiting public drinking to add a $50 fine per violation. Previously, the ordinance carried no enforcement mechanism, and the citations were easily dismissed in Norwich Superior Court, Police Chief Patrick Daley told the City Council Monday.

Daley said officers still would not take violators into custody but would issue mail-in fine citations. He said police will work with court officials to help divert repeat offenders into alcohol treatment programs.

During public comment before the decision, downtown resident Brian Kobylarz asked the council why the fine could not be higher, noting that Madison has a $100 fine for violations.

Daley said he proposed $50 to match the fine Norwich already has on the books for drinking violations in public parks.