The Board of Supervisors makes the following findings concerning minors' consumption of alcoholic beverages and/or marijuana:
(a) Minors often obtain, possess or consume alcoholic beverages or marijuana at parties held on private property under the control of a person who knows or should know of the conduct but fails to stop it.
(b) Underage consumption of alcoholic beverages and marijuana pose an immediate threat to the public health, safety and welfare in that it increases substance abuse by minors, physical altercations, violent crimes including rape and other sexual offenses, accidental injury, neighborhood vandalism and excessive noise disturbance, all of which may require intervention by local law enforcement.
(c) Law enforcement responses to disturbances involving underage consumption of alcoholic beverages and/or marijuana at private parties frequently require the use of extensive resources. Further, when law enforcement personnel respond to disturbances at private parties it limits their ability to respond to other service calls in the community, thereby placing the community at increased risk. Law enforcement is not currently reimbursed for its expenses when called to a private party.
(d) The prohibitions found in this chapter are reasonable and expected to deter consumption of alcoholic beverages and/or marijuana by minors by holding persons responsible who encourage, are aware of or should be aware of the illegal consumption of alcoholic beverages or marijuana by minors, but fail to prevent it. In addition, it is the intent of this chapter that the revenue the County receives from enforcement of this chapter after cost reimbursement will be directed toward substance abuse and prevention education programs in the community.
(Added by Ord. No. 9565 (N.S.), effective 8-7-03; amended by Ord. No. 9791 (N.S.), effective 8-24-06; amended by Ord. No. 9970 (N.S.), effective 3-12-09; amended by Ord. No. 10608 (N.S.), effective 6-20-19)