Social Host law vetoed after backlash in Redondo Beach
Redondo Beach’s criminal social host ordinance has been vetoed by Mayor Bill Brand, who killed the bill after receiving “significant concern” from residents. Feedback from those opposing the law felt that the city’s plan to levy misdemeanor charges against those believed to give teens alcohol was too strong. “Ultimately, the feedback was not comfortable with the perceived heavy hand Redondo was taking, as opposed to neighboring cities,” Brand said. Had the ordinance not been vetoed, Redondo would have joined Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and the entirety of the Palos Verdes Peninsula in codifying local laws against teen drinking. Those cities issue administrative fines, rather than possible jail time. According to Redondo Beach Police Chief Keith Kauffman, a social host ordinance “bridges the gap” between laws about drinking on public property and private property, by holding landowners or leaseholders responsible for teen drinking on their property. According to statistics provided by the Beach Cities Health District, 42 percent of 11th graders in the Beach Cities report using drugs or alcohol in the last 30 days, double the rate of LAUSD students. At the ordinance’s first…
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