The town council of the town of Yucca Valley makes the following findings concerning minors' consumption of alcoholic beverages and/or illegal substances:
Minors often obtain, possess or consume alcoholic beverages or illegal substances at gatherings held on private property under the control of a person who knows or should know of the conduct but fails to stop it.
Underage consumption of alcoholic beverages and use of illegal substances pose an immediate threat to the public health, safety and welfare in that such activities are known to increase alcohol and drug 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 and other emergency response personnel.
Law enforcement and other emergency personnel responses to disturbances involving underage consumption of alcoholic beverages and use of illegal substances at gatherings frequently require the use of extensive resources. Further, when these personnel respond to such disturbances, it limits their ability to respond to other service calls in the community, thereby placing the community at increased risk. Law enforcement and other emergency personnel are not currently reimbursed for their expenses when called to disturbances involving underage consumption of alcoholic beverages and/or illegal substances at gatherings.
The prohibitions found in this chapter are reasonable and expected to deter consumption of alcoholic beverages and illegal substances by minors by holding persons responsible who encourage, and are aware of or should be aware of, the illegal consumption of alcoholic beverages and the use of illegal substances by minors, but fail to take reasonable steps to prevent it. (Ord. 232, 10-4-2011)