It’s unfortunate that the Carver County Board of Commissioners is dragging its feet on a bill to discourage underage drinking.
At a recent meeting, the board tabled the proposed Social Host Ordinance.
The ordinance would make a person criminally responsible for hosting a party where underage people drink alcohol.
There are various caveats to the proposed ordinance, the most significant being that the host “knows or reasonably should know that an underage person will or does” drink. So if Junior robs the liquor cabinet for an invite-only bedroom bash, while the parents unknowingly watch “Shrek the Third” in the den, they wouldn’t be held responsible. Or if Little Missy sneaks a beer during her parents’ Vikings Game Day Garage Party, they wouldn’t be held responsible.
This ordinance is meant for people who intentionally hold a party where underage drinkers will be present.
Chaska Police Chief Scott Knight and Carver County Sheriff Bud Olson have said that the ordinance would give them another tool in their legal belt to combat underage drinking. Currently, they argue, it’s difficult to prosecute underage party hosts unless they provided the booze. The Carver County Attorney’s Office drafted the ordinance.
At Monday night’s Chaska City Council meeting, a social host ordinance was unanimously approved for Chaska.
So what’s the hold-up with Carver County?
At a recent meeting, commissioners expressed concerns over culpability of unknowing parents – something that is covered in the ordinance.
Another concern was whether the ordinance would compel underage people to go to other counties to drink. Well boo hoo. Perhaps we shouldn’t have any laws in Carver County. We don’t want to inconvenience those who would otherwise need to travel to Scott County to rob a bank or mug someone.
Commissioners also talked about “restorative justice” rather than criminal penalties for those who host underage drinking parties. It makes one wonder if they understand how serious a problem this is.
Then there are the parents who want to hold “safe” underage drinking parties in their home. “Good grief” is all that can be said about this practice, which is anything but safe.
Talk to long-time residents, and one gets the feeling that Carver County was once underage drinking capitol of the state. Keg beer flowed through farm fields and ravines like the Minnesota River.
Underage drinking is still a big problem – as two recent high-profile alcohol-related deaths illustrate. However, with increased enforcement and awareness, Carver County has made a lot of headway over the years.
This ordinance would push the county even farther in the right direction.
RELATED:
Story: City is first in state to pass Social Host Ordinance [1]
Poll: What do you think of the city's passage of the Social Host Ordinance? [1]