Looking to tighten the rules prohibiting adults from furnishing
alcohol to minors or looking the other way when alcohol is used by
those under 21, a Hollister city councilman is advocating for a
stricter
”
social host ordinance.
”
Councilman Victor Gomez asked city staff to research such an
ordinance in an effort to encourage adults to be more responsible
when teens have access to alcohol.
Looking to tighten the rules prohibiting adults from furnishing alcohol to minors or looking the other way when alcohol is used by those under 21, a Hollister city councilman is advocating for a stricter “social host ordinance.”
At a recent meeting, first-term Councilman Victor Gomez asked city staff to research such an ordinance in an effort to encourage adults to be more responsible when teens have access to alcohol.
“I started doing the research when I first got elected and I noticed that a lot of other cities and counties throughout the state have adopted” similar rules, which provide additional penalties for adults who either directly supply alcohol to teens or don’t prohibit consumption on their property, Gomez said.
“I noticed that a lot of the areas with social host ordinances have colleges or universities nearby so it pinpointed areas that have a high amount of alcohol consumption,” he said. He went on: “Rural areas also have a problem, so that’s why it might be a good idea to move forward on the idea locally.”
In discussions with local health and law enforcement issues, Gomez said many agencies are interested in bringing more awareness to the issue of underage alcohol use and abuse.
Hollister Police Sgt. David Westrick said the city has a social host ordinance in place but Gomez’s plan could add an alcohol provision that would broaden its penalties.
“Having a social host ordinance could strengthen the position of the police department,” Westrick said, noting that there are already laws on the books related to loud and unruly parties and that it is already a crime for adults to provide alcohol to minors.
Look for the full story in the Pinnacle on Friday.
