Redlands police are planning party patrols to crack down on anticipated underage drinking next week when thousands of teens graduate from Loma Linda Academy, Redlands High, Redlands East Valley, and Citrus Valley.
A Redlands spokesman calls it "graduation season" and reminds party hosts the city council approved a social host ordinance in January. The ordinance holds hosts responsible for alcohol consumption by people under age 21 at their parties.
Violators of the ordinance are subject to fines ranging from $100 to $500, city spokesman Carl Baker said. Repeat violations can result in additional fines that include costs incurred by law enforcement, fire and other emergency service providers.
Graduations in the Redlands and Loma Linda area next week include Loma Linda Academy on June 2, Redlands East Valley High on June 5, Redlands High on June 6, and Citrus Valley High on June 7.
Baker says Redlands police are planning five nights of party patrols to crack down on underage drinking at house parties.
"This is part of a collaborative approach to curb the problems related to binge and underage drinking in Redlands in order to achieve a safer, healthier community for our youth," Baker said.
School officials also know this is not their first rodeo. Citrus Valley High administrators have issued the following pre-graduation statement:
"All persons in the Redlands Bowl are expected to conduct themselves with C.L.A.S.S. All seniors are expected to behave in a manner befitting the occasion. If there is any suspicion that a senior has been drinking or is under the influence of drugs, he/she will be removed from the ceremony immediately."
The legal drinking age in California is 21.
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