Stunning numbers of parents condoning underage drinking
News that a dozen social host citations have been issued by Gilroy police in less than five months is stunning and disconcerting.
We’re deeply concerned that so many Gilroy parents are willing to turn a blind eye to underage drinking, or worse, to assist in the illegal and dangerous practice.
We sadly suspect that the dozen parents cited in five months in Gilroy under the new social host ordinance are a small fraction of those condoning or encouraging underage drinking within the city limits and in the larger area, including unincorporated portions of our community.
Police report that the word is getting out. When the show up at parties with underage drinking, they’ve been asked by partygoers about the $250 ticket.
That’s why we believe that a $250 fine isn’t a strong enough deterrent. That fine becomes painless when split among several partygoers. Under the current Gilroy ordinance, the fine jumps to $1,000 for second offenses, and $2,000 for third offenses.
Given that, we encourage the new city council to revise this ordinance to stiffen the penalties. We suggest $1,000 for first offenses, $2,000 for second offenses, and 30 days in jail for third offenses.
Council should direct the city attorney to present draft language that incorporates these penalties.
Finally, we encourage Santa Clara County supervisors to implement a similar social host ordinance for unincorporated parts of Santa Clara County. An effort is being led by Supervisor Don Gage, who represents South County, and we urge his fellow supervisors to support it.
Because Morgan Hill and Gilroy already have social host ordinances, adding a similar ordinance in the county would eliminate large areas near both communities where teens and parents might perceive it to be “safe” to condone or encourage underage drinking.
As Dina Campeau, who’s been a passionate advocate on this issue, told reporter Slav Kandyba, if a county ordinance is implemented, “The kids get the message that they can’t go into the county, that’s a ripple impact of trying to reduce incidents of underage drinking.”
Let’s work together to make South County an unwelcoming place for underage drinking.
