Sunset Hills Lawmaker Rejects Move To Make Hosts Pay For Underage Drinking

In a 7 - 1 vote Tuesday night, Sunset Hills approved a Social Host Ordinance that would saddle adults hosting underage drinking parties with heavy fines—including compensating the city for emergency response services.

However, Alderwoman Dee Baebler rejected the measure with a vote against, saying afterward in an email that while she is "100 percent against" the use of alcohol by minors, she felt the new ordinance was "too broad and would vicariously criminalize parents for the acts of teenagers in large part out of the parents’ control."

Baebler described how she heard largely negative reaction from her Ward 1 constituents about the Social Host measure after she voted in favor of it in June, when it first came before city lawmakers.

Parent members of Lindbergh Safe and Drug Free Coalition (LSDFC) urged lawmakers in June to approve the ordinance, which was modeled off a similar ordinance in Wildwood.

Coalition member Carol Treppler said the ordinance was needed to combat parties where parents routinely served alcohol to underage teens, such as parties following proms or other high school events.

“With this ordinance in place, police will be able to say that if you are going to do this (host underage drinking parties) then there will be consequences,” Treppler said.

The Lindbergh coalition has about 30 members.

Fellow coalition member Lori Krueger said a similar group working within the Rockwood School District has been able to significantly lower underage drinking of alcohol and use of illegal drugs in teenagers. Hosts may be found criminally liable for violations committed by minors, and arrested.

But Baebler said she heard from for parents to be held accountable for things teens did that parents did not condone—but may happen regardless.

Other residents said they believed parents would no longer call on police for help in breaking up gatherings where they discover underage drinking or drug use, as a result of the punitive aspects of the measure.

Baebler pointed to existing prohibitions on the sale and use of alcohol.

"There are laws in place—and working well—to deter this behavior. This is not a pressing issue in our community," Baebler said.

Prior to the board vote Tuesday, Alderman Scott Haggerty amended the measure to include neighboring property—both public and private, in the event a party spilled over property lines.

Alderman Tom Hrastich called for removing various types of rubbing alcohol listed as contraband in the measure, but the proposal died for lack of support.

Sunset Hills Police Chief William LaGrand said the department did not get a high number of calls about rubbing alcohol abuse.

Baebler said she routinely polls Ward 1 constituents by email about city issues prior to action by the Board of Aldermen, and encouraged other Ward 1 residents to join her email list at caddyshack2004@charter.net