By Doug Miller
The ordinance was written by Council Vice President Robert Tepper with the apparent blessing of the corporation counsel's office, which had concerns about previously discussed social host ordinances. Representatives of the corporation counsel's office did not return a call for comment.
The ordinance would provide a maximum $250 fine and a maximum 15 days in jail for a person found guilty of "allow[ing] an open house party to take place... if such person knows or has reason to know that any alcoholic beverage or drug is being unlawfully possessed, served to or consumed by a minor at said residence."
But Tepper said this version will be an effective law and an exemplary public policy. "I think it strikes a nice balance in addressing underage drinking at house parties along with not being overly intrusive to peoples' rights to privacy."
The bill offers exceptions for people who provide alcohol to their own children in their own homes, and other common exceptions.
The Council previously held a public hearing on a boilerplate ordinance in June that showed the community was split on the need for such a law. Most of those speaking against the ordinance said they feared it would expand police powers to search private homes, which police and city officials strongly denied.
The need for such a law has been a top issue for the Long Beach Coalition to Prevent Underage Drinking, which is run by Long Beach Medical Center and includes several public officials, teachers, parents and business owners, including Clifford Richner, the Herald's publisher. The coalition coordinator, Judi Vining, has been an outspoken advocate for such a law. "We have a problem here in Long Beach, rampant underage drinking," Vining told the Council in June. "Yes, it's a national problem, but Long Beach is far ahead of the curve."
She cited research that states that 63 percent of Long Beach 11th graders drink, compared to 48 percent of national 12th graders. Seventy percent of those Long Beach juniors report drinking at private house parties, she said.
City Manager Edwin Eaton was not at the previous public hearing but said he was encouraged by Tepper's ordinance. "The Corporation Counsel's office was hard at work writing an ordinance with teeth," he said Tuesday night. "The City Council doesn't want a 'feel good' ordinance. They want something workable and think they have it here."
Comments about this story? DMiller@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 213.
