Redlands Police Issue Citations to Hosts of Alleged Underage Keg Drinking Party

Redlands police issued citations under a new "social host ordinance" on Saturday afternoon, accusing three people of allegedly hosting an underage drinking party, a city spokesman said Tuesday.

Police were called out around 2 p.m. March 23 to a report of a loud party in the 900 block of East Brockton Avenue, where several underage people were consuming alcohol, Redlands spokesman Carl Baker said.

"When police arrived at the location, they found loud music blaring and several subjects consuming alcohol," Baker said. "Police issued administrative citations to three people for hosting an underage drinking party, including one person who purchased three kegs of beer for the party."

Police also issued administrative citations to three people under age 21 for allegedly possessing alcohol, Baker said.

The social host ordinance was approved by the Redlands city council on Feb. 5 and it became effective earlier this month, Baker said.

The ordinance holds party hosts responsible for alcohol consumption by people under age 21 at their parties, Baker said.

"We want residents to understand that allowing underage drinking is against the law," Redlands police Lt. Travis Martinez said. "If you are planning to host a party then you must take responsibility for ensuring that no one under 21 is allowed to consume alcohol."

Violators of the ordinance are subject to fines ranging from $100 to $500, Baker said. Repeated violations can result in additional fines that include costs incurred by law enforcement, fire and other emergency service providers.

Redlands police "are trained in the appropriate application of the ordinance in an effort to reduce the number of calls for service from parties where underage drinking occurs," Baker said.

The training is part of an overall strategy to increase enforcement of the ordinance, and to help make Redlands safer "by reducing the sometimes tragic consequences that are associated with the consumption of alcohol by minors," Martinez said.

Police and city officials urged residents who host parties where alcohol is served to:

• Control access to alcohol at the gathering.
• Control the quantity of alcohol beverages at the gathering.
• Verify the age of the persons attending the gathering by inspecting a driver's license or other government-issued ID.
• Supervise the activities of persons under 21.
• If your party gets out of hand, ask people to leave.

"As graduation nears for local high schools, the Redlands Police Department will be diligent in enforcing the laws pertaining to underage drinking," Baker said. "Educational presentations are planned for the University of Redlands community."

Anyone with questions about the social host ordinance was urged to contact Martinez at (909) 798-7681 or email tmartinez@redlandspolice.org.

Police also urged residents to report potential violations of the social host ordinance to Redlands Police Dispatch at (909) 798-7681. Anonymous tipsters can text 274637 and use the keyword "REDTIP."

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