The city of Chaska and the Chaska Police Department were recently given national recognition, and an award, for establishing Minnesota’s first Social Host ordinance.The ordinance makes it illegal to provide a venue for underage drinking.

The award was given by the “Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws Program,” operated by the Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center.

The center is a nationally based organization, funded by grants from the federal Office of Juvenile Justice Programs, according to a Chaska Police Department press release.

The recognition and award ceremony was held in late August in Nashville. The award was accepted by a representative from the Minnesota Alcohol and Gaming Enforcement Division, on behalf of Chaska.

“Since the inception of this ordinance in Chaska, many other cities and counties in Minnesota have followed Chaska’s lead and have enacted similar ordinances in their communities, with many more sure to follow,” stated the acceptance speech by Brian Kringen, with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Alcohol and Gaming Enforcement Division.

Cheri Marti, director of the Department of Public Safety, also sent a congratulations to the city for its award.

After the Chaska City Council adopted the Social Host Ordinance last year, numerous cities and counties have looked to the Chaska police department for advice, and ordinance language and followed the same course. The Chaska ordinance has resulted in 11 arrests since it was passed.

“I am very proud of our City Council, who unanimously passed the ordinance into law, when it came before them. Once again the council proved to be leaders and ‘set-the-bar’ in regard to a quality of life issues, when it comes to our kids,” stated Chief Scott Knight.

Knight added, “I also have great respect for Carver County Commissioners Randy Maluchnik and Gayle Degler, then County Attorney Mike Fahey, and Sheriff Bud Olson, who had the desire to, and tried to make the Social Host ordinance a county-wide ordinance. The support of, and the concern for the health and welfare of our children, by these officials, was and is clearly demonstrated by their efforts.”