05.04 - Social Host Ordinance - Laserfiche WebLink

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Social Host Ordinance- M A Social Host Ordinance would allow the Pequot Lakes Police Department to charge people with a misdemeanor if underage drinking takes place that they knew about or should have known about. We would like to create a new penalty for people who permit underage drinking on property for which they are responsible. This ordinance would apply to homeowners, renters and people who rent banquet halls, picnic shelters and other places that host events. This tool would allow us to hold people accountable for allowing underage drinking. Under existing law there really isn't any responsibility on the property owner to do anything so long as they're not actually furnishing alcohol. Although providing alcohol to minors is already illegal in Minnesota proving these types of cases is becoming increasingly difficult. With underage drinking on the rise we would like the Council to pass the "Social Host Ordinance" so that together we, as the City of Pequot Lakes, can work aggressively to deter people from providing alcohol to underage drinkers. If this Ordinance is adopted the Pequot Lakes Police would do a media campaign to warn people about the stiffer penalties for allowing minors to drink. As a side note, Brainerd and Baxter have already passed this Ordinance.