Possible new way to curb underage drinking in Ellensburg
ELLENSBURG -- Ellensburg leaders admit underage drinking is a problem. More than a third of the population is students. It's still trying to live down the notoriety of introducing students to the caffeine and booze mix called Four Loko.
The idea being floated is a social host ordinance. It would take a tougher stance toward parties where underage drinking takes place.
Right now, Ellensburg follows the state's furnishing law. It states that you cannot sell, give or supply liquor to anyone younger than 21 or allow someone to drink under your roof. But, it's up to authorities to prove an adult provided it.
The coordinator of the CWU Campus Community Coalition, Lynne Harrison, says it would be different under this proposal.
"If you have four students who are renting a house and the police are called because of a noise violation, all four of the tenants can be charged under a social host ordinance," says Harrison.
Not everyone thinks it's the best option.
"I'm not convinced that adding another law is what's necessary to address the problem," says Ellensburg City Attorney Jim Pidduck.
Pidduck doesn't think it's fair to charge people who don't know what's going on under their roof.
Under the current law, there have only been about 10 convictions in the last two years. City council has the final say. More research, surveys and public meetings will come before that.
There are social host ordinances in place across the country. Recently, Mercer Island near Seattle became the first in Washington to draft one.
The idea being floated is a social host ordinance. It would take a tougher stance toward parties where underage drinking takes place.
Right now, Ellensburg follows the state's furnishing law. It states that you cannot sell, give or supply liquor to anyone younger than 21 or allow someone to drink under your roof. But, it's up to authorities to prove an adult provided it.
The coordinator of the CWU Campus Community Coalition, Lynne Harrison, says it would be different under this proposal.
"If you have four students who are renting a house and the police are called because of a noise violation, all four of the tenants can be charged under a social host ordinance," says Harrison.
Not everyone thinks it's the best option.
"I'm not convinced that adding another law is what's necessary to address the problem," says Ellensburg City Attorney Jim Pidduck.
Pidduck doesn't think it's fair to charge people who don't know what's going on under their roof.
Under the current law, there have only been about 10 convictions in the last two years. City council has the final say. More research, surveys and public meetings will come before that.
There are social host ordinances in place across the country. Recently, Mercer Island near Seattle became the first in Washington to draft one.
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