By Mollee Francisco
Mario Rodriguez told police he thought it was OK to purchase Captain Morgan rum for his stepson and his stepson’s friends last December, because they were going to drink at his Pine Street home, which he considered “a safe and supervised place for them to drink alcohol,” according to a criminal complaint.
Unfortunately for Rodriguez, the city of Chaska disagreed. Rodriguez and his stepson, became the first individuals cited in violation of the Chaska’s social host ordinance - a new law passed by the Chaska City Council in September prohibiting anyone from providing a venue for underage drinking within the city. Rodriguez will make his first appearance in Carver County Court tomorrow.
Chaska Police Chief Scott Knight said he’s heard excuses like Rodriguez’s before.
“I think that’s one of the most outrageous attempts to shirk adult responsibility I have ever heard,” he commented.
But Rodriguez and his stepson aren’t the only ones to run into trouble with the law since the social host ordinance was passed. On New Year’s Eve, two separate violations of the ordinance resulted in citations, said Chaska Det. Sgt. Jon Kehrberg.
In one case, officers responded to a party on Village Road where a 21-year-old male was allegedly found to be throwing a party. According to Kehrberg, seven minors were cited for underage consumption and the 21-year-old was cited for violating the social host ordinance.
Across town on Judith Drive, another party involving underage drinking was also allegedly occurring that night, Kehrberg said. Police were later called to a gas station in town to respond to a medical emergency after one of the party-goers allegedly dropped off a heavily intoxicated 17-year-old girl rather than take her to a hospital for medical care.
Kehrberg said police have already cited one for social host ordinance and are recommending charges for another in that case.
Last week, Chaska police issued their fifth and sixth citations of the city’s social host ordinance. On Jan. 10, police cited a 21- and 22-year-old on Waters Edge Drive after an incident allegedly involving underage drinking by an 18-year-old.
Effective tool
Knight said the social host ordinance has turned out to be a “very effective” and “very easy to implement tool” for his department.
“Our officers saw a void in the lack of tools to prevent underage drinking,” he noted. Knight now believes they have that gap covered and are starting to see results in the community.
“We’re hearing from our more infamous party hosts that they are looking for other venues outside of Chaska to throw their parties,” he said.
Knight said that bodes well for Chaska residents. “We’re protecting children and young adults,” he said. “We’re keeping them from harm.”
But he still worries about other Carver County cities that don’t have the use of the social host ordinance.
“If this is happening in Chaska, it’s happening in every other city in the county,” he said.
In November, the Carver County Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 to not move ahead with a county-wide social host ordinance.
Meanwhile, cities around the state have considered following Chaska and passing their own social host ordinance. Mankato passed theirs in November and the Prior Lake City Council is now considering one.
Humphrey case
Knight knows how easy it is for party throwers to escape culpability without the ordinance. Last February, charges rained down on four individuals for providing alcohol to then 18-year-old Sean Humphrey. Humphrey was found the morning after the apartment party, unconscious and partially frozen to the pavement on Geske Road. He died later that day at the Hennepin County Medical Center.
Two of the individuals charged in association with his death, have already worked their way through the court system. Kirk Anderson, of Chaska, pleaded guilty to furnishing alcohol to a minor and served 10 days in jail. Joshua Julien, of Excelsior, still faces charges for allegedly purchasing and bringing alcohol to the party. His next court appearance is scheduled for mid-February.
But Grace Saba Nelson and Jesse Blunt, the two Chaska individuals who allegedly threw the party Humphrey attended, and faced misdemeanor charges of providing alcohol to a minor, saw their charges dismissed last fall.
“They were dismissed because there was no allegation that they provided, purchased or solicited the purchase of alcohol,” explained Assistant Carver County Attorney Mike Wentzell.
Both judges Jean Davies and Philip T. Kanning agreed that Nelson and Blunt had no criminal liability when they threw the party at their residence. At the time they were charged, the social host ordinance had not yet been passed. Had it been in effect, Wentzell said he believes it would have applied to Nelson and Blunt.
Knight agreed. “Clearly, had this ordinance been in place, we would have used it,” he said. “It would have fit perfectly.”
SOUND OFF: What do you think about the social host ordinance?