A new city ordinance will be introduced Thursday, July 12 during the Clearlake City Council”s regularly scheduled meeting. The ordinance pertains to possession or consumption of alcohol by persons younger than 21 years of age.
“Underage drinking can lead to behavioral issues, increased violence, addiction, criminal behavior and is considered a gateway drug to more dangerous drugs such as methamphetamine,” Clearlake Chief of Police Allan McClain states in his written report to the council. “Our community is a prime vacation destination and we need to protect everyone by ensuring there is no alcohol consumption at any private residence without direct supervision of the person”s parent or legal guardian.”
The city council will be asked to adopt Municipal Code 5-9.2: “Supervision by parent or guardian of alcoholic beverage possession or consumption by persons under twenty-one.” The code specifies the following:
“No person under the age of twenty-one (21) years shall possess or consume any alcoholic beverage at any place not open to the public, unless that person is being supervised by the person”s parent or legal guardian.”
“No person shall suffer, permit, allow or host a social gathering at the person”s place of residence where one (1) or more persons under the age of twenty-one (21) are present and alcoholic beverages are in the possession of or being consumed by any person under the age of twenty-one (21) years and there is no supervision by the parent or legal guardian of each of the participants under the age of twenty-one (21).”
Any person violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.
“These types of ordinances have proven effective in other communities and will help to ensure the safety of everyone in the City of Clearlake,” McClain concluded in his report.
Should the ordinance pass it will go into effect 30 days after its adoption by the council.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
