(Spirit Lake)– The Spirit Lake city council is being asked to consider adopting a so-called “social host” ordinance that proponents say would serve as another deterrent against underage drinking.
The council reviewed a sample ordinance Tuesday that would hold the host of a party responsible for knowingly serving alcohol to someone underage. It includes but is not limited to someone who owns, rents, leases or otherwise has control of the premises where such an event is going on.
Ron Vincelli of Compass Pointe and Priority One told the council that having such a law on the books will give law enforcement another tool and give parents more latitude in talking to their kids about underage drinking.
Police Chief Jeff Hanson says even though the proposed ordinance is similar to existing ones, that it would give his officers another tool in their arsenal to deal with the problem when it arises.
The council took no action on the proposed ordinance Tuesday, but directed City Attorney Earl Maahs to review some additional model ordinances.
