Efforts to go after those who host underage drinking parties could be getting a good bounce in the Lake Minnetonka area.
The Minnetonka City Council took a first look at a social host ordinance at its May 4 meeting, and South Lake Minnetonka Police Department Chief Bryan Litsey said he hopes cities in his jurisdiction can approve a similar ordinance.
"We're trying to have a coordinated response," Litsey said.
Under a social host ordinance, those who provide space for parties that feature underage drinking can be vulnerable to charges.
Although it's already illegal to provide alcohol to a minor, it can be difficult to prove who provided it.
"It is really frustrating for us when we show up at a party and the person who's allowing it to take place is of legal age to drink and you can't prove who provided" the alcohol, Litsey said.
In 2007, Chaska was the first to pass such an ordinance, after a 19 year old froze to death in that city after a night of drinking at a party.
Nearly 20 cities have since passed a social host ordinance.
Earlier this year, mayors, council members and police chiefs representing cities in the Hopkins and Minnetonka school districts met to discuss the issue. The meeting was pushed by Tonka Cares, an organization in the Minnetonka School District working to prevent teen drug and alcohol use.
Imogen Davis, Tonka Cares' coordinator, said there is reason for concern about underage drinking, as about one third of Minnetonka High School students reported that they'd used alcohol in the last month, according to a 2007 survey.
"It's important to note that this isn't a majority behavior when you look at all high school students. But we believe we can make this even better. That's still 30 percent of students who are choosing to use," Davis said.
And the most commonly reported source of alcohol at parties is friends, not parents, she said.
After taking a look at the Chaska ordinance, the Minnetonka legal department made some changes to it in hopes of making prosecution easier. The changes include steps a person might take to prevent underage consumption at a party.
"You have to either sponsor it or allow it. So if you have no knowledge whatsoever that it's going to happen, then you're not going to be held responsible," said City Attorney Desyl Peterson.
Council Member Tony Wagner (Ward 2) said that while he supported the intent of the ordinance, he had problems with the wording - such as what "allow" means. He was concerned about having somebody charged who might not be present at the party, especially parents who leave and don't specifically forbid such a party, he said.
"Maybe our police chief and you as a city attorney don't prosecute for that," Wagner said. "It doesn't mean that someone that's a little more aggressive might not."
Council Member Amber Greves (At Large) serves as a council representative to Tonka Cares.
"I'm highly supportive of introducing this. I really think it fills a loophole that currently exists," Greves said.
Minnetonka's proposed ordinance includes examples of steps one could take to prevent underage consumption, like checking IDs, supervising a gathering, controlling access to alcoholic beverages and simply directing that no consumption of them is allowed.
Litsey said the further clarification in Minnetonka's proposed ordinance - which will be considered again by the Minnetonka council on May 18 - won't hurt, especially given that social host ordinances have had few if any challenges in the courts.
He also said it could help those who feel pressured to host a party for minors who plan to drink.
"This really gives them another out to say, 'Look, I can't, it's against the law,'" Litsey said.
Reader Comments
Posted: Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Article comment by:
Natalie Hagemo
The social host ordinance is a good idea. Parents have a responsibility to properly supervise a party or gathering at their home. I've been mortified by the viewpoint of a few parents that the kids "have a right to privacy" during their party or "they are great kids so I don't worry". Most kids are good kids but let's not make it easy for them to cross the line. Be aware of the alcohol you have in your home. You would be surprised how many kids are getting it from their parents stash and then sharing it with their friends.
