KENNEBUNK – Authorities are proposing stiff fines for disruptive behavior in an effort to control unruly summer crowds in this town’s tourism center.

Last summer, large groups of teen-agers roamed the streets, intimidating tourists and blocking traffic, according to police. But police said they have little ability legally to clamp down on rowdy crowds.

Now, town officials have proposed an ordinance that would allow police to issue fines up to $350 for disruptive behavior.

The problem has long plagued the Lower Village, the town’s tourism-driven downtown, said Police Chief Mathew Baker.

“[Teen-agers] would just aggravate people who would walk along the street and try to enjoy themselves in the evening,” said Mike Brown, a lawyer on the Lower Village Committee.

The proposed ordinance would allow police to issue summonses to disruptive or destructive individuals without needing witnesses to the offense. Fines would range from $100 to $350.

Ogunquit adopted an identical ordinance several years ago, as have other beach communities. Portland also has considered efforts to curb the behavior of youth in the city’s tourist-heavy Old Port district.

Baker said police would issue warnings before formally charging anyone.

He also stressed that officers aren’t targeting teen-agers.

“We’re not out to prevent kids from having a good time,” he said.

Teen-agers, however, say the real problem is the town’s white-glove attitude toward tourists.

Sarah Coffey, a 17-year-old senior at Kennebunk High School, said she feels tourists get special treatment, while teen-agers are considered second-class citizens.

Jeromy Gagne, 17, said business owners should lighten up.

“With them, it’s always us against them,” he said. “Some of them get quite annoyed because we like to hang out, like that’s a bad thing.”

The ordinance will be considered during the annual town meeting on June 13.