Redondo Beach Mayor Vetoes ‘Social-Host’ Ordinance

REDONDO BEACH, CA – Redondo Beach Mayor Bill Brand vetoed the proposed "social host" ordinance that City Council unanimously passed earlier this month. The proposed ordinance would have made adults responsible for underage drinking – possibly resulting in a misdemeanor, up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine and reimbursement of any of the city's legal expenses, according to The Beach Reporter.

The ordinance intended to give law enforcement more leeway in prosecuting adults who allowed teenagers to drink under their supervision. However, exceptions were to be made to protect family and cultural events where parents or guardians give their permission for their children to take part in events, "which may involve the consumption of alcohol," according to the City Council administrative report.

Social host ordinances were created, in part, because police officers have frequently been required to respond to parties, gatherings or events in order to disperse uncooperative participants, which causes a drain in resources. Most recently, police have seen 18-year-olds renting AirBnB's to host big parties, Police Chief Keith Kauffman told the newspaper. Others involve adults who allow teenagers to drink alcohol on their property.

Similar but less severe laws known as social host ordinances were passed by other cities including Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes, Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills and Rolling Hills Estates. Those cities made the fine administrative, while Redondo Beach was looking to make them criminal.

Kauffman supported the push for the social host ordinance to include criminal violations.

"Social host is really letting our adults know that if you allow this in your home or in a private residence you are really running a risk of endangering our youth and endangering people in the community," Police Chief Keith Kauffman told The Beach Reporter. "Currently, however, we don't have the teeth to do that."

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