Adults Fined for Hosting Party

Last February, the Palos Verdes Estates City Council began a conversation about implementing a Social Host Ordinance within Palos Verdes. This type of legislation had already been adopted by the neighboring cities of Manhattan and Hermosa Beaches.

On January 11, 2017, The Palos Verdes School Board passed a resolution in support of the Social Host Ordinance.

“The overwhelming community support helped cities pass the ordinances and has led to increased awareness around the dangers of youth alcohol (and drug) consumption,” said Beth Meyerhoff, a Palos Verdes parent involved in the passage of the Social Host Ordinance.

“Continuing those conversations here and in other cities in the South Bay will help lead youth towards choosing healthy and safe alternatives to social drinking.”

The Social Host ordinance fines homeowners that allow a party that involes under age drinking to take place within their residencies.

The goal is to keep parents from unwittingly supporting behavior that is potentially dangerous to their children and those who associate with their children. In addition, the Social Host Ordinance aims to bring awareness about the dangers of house partying to the Palos Verdes Community.

In order to gain publicity for the passage of the Social Host Ordinance, PV High hosted a reality party on January 21st.

Parents walked through a home in which students simulated drinking games, binge drinking, and sexual assault. Peninsula High School is now in the process of planning its own Reality Party.

“I was not aware of the Social Host Ordinance until I heard about the reality part,” said senior Lauren White. “I think that it is important to educate members of the community about the dangers of underage drinking. I am very interested in the impact that the Social Host Ordinance will have within Palos Verdes Estates.”

The Social Host Ordinance has been approved by each of the four cities within Palos Verdes including Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills Estates, and Rolling Hills. The ordinance declares that law enforcement official have the authority to issue citations to any adult who allows underage drinking on private property.

Specifically, the consequence of hosting underage drinking is a series of fines. The first offense warrants a fine of $2,500, the second offense leads to a $5,000 fine, and the third offense demands the payment of a $7,500 fine.

“Being proactive, rather than waiting for another tragedy to strike, shows that our elected officials are true leaders in their community.” said Rod Uyeda, a retired Manhattan Beach police officer who spearheaded the implementation of the Social Host Ordinances.

“I do worry, and know, that underage drinking will continue to occur due to poor decisions being made by both students and permissive adults, but I do know that the passage of this ordinance will save lives for many years to come.”

Due to the movement of the Social Host Ordinance within Palos Verdes, the LA County Board of Supervisors approved the ordinance during September of 2017, which means that the ordinance will also be pushed through Redondo Beach,  Torrance, and El Segundo. Additionally, there is discussion that the Social Host Ordinance may be brought to the California State Assembly for statewide recognition.