OUR VIEW: Town right to explore new rental policy for the Depot

» Late-night parties shouldn’t be going much past midnight on town property anyway.

The Depot in downtown Culpeper has been the site of celebrations and good times for plenty of Culpeper people over the years. But recently, police and town leaders say that raucous late-night gatherings at the facility, which is available to rent for parties and private events, have ended with excessive damage.

The old adage about a few bad apples spoiling the bunch could certainly apply here. It’s not especially surprising that parties lasting late into the night and involving alcohol end this way, and if changes have to be made to keep the Depot a viable place for most social gatherings, then those changes would be worth it.

The town is considering a plan to double the cost of renting the Depot — to $200 for a four-hour event — and increase the security deposit more than five times to $500. The changes, which would not apply to nonprofit groups, likely would have the desired effect of preventing much of the damage that is making it difficult for the Depot to cover operating expenses.

The increased costs, particularly the security deposit, might make it tough to afford for some groups or the average family, but it’s certainly nothing unreasonable.

While this is anything but a hot-button topic, folks seem split on whether putting the kibosh on late-night parties would be the best step. Perhaps the best move would be to close the Depot by a set time such as 11 p.m. or midnight.

Surely that kind of curfew wouldn’t put too much of a damper on the festivities, and it might help prevent things from getting out of control after the witching hour.