Long Beach police break up underage drinking parties

Teens issued summonses for violating social host law

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Long Beach police broke up two underage drinking parties last week after officers responded to noise complaints.

On June 26, an officer observed open alcoholic beverages on the backyard deck of a home on West Olive Street. The host of the party, a 17-year-old male, was issued a summons for violating the city’s Social Host Law and allowing minors to consume alcohol on private property. He is scheduled to appear at Long Beach City Court on July 27.

On June 29, another violation was issued after an officer responded to a noise complaint at a party on Lincoln Boulevard. The officer noticed alcoholic beverages in the yard of the residence and issued a summons to the 19-year-old female host, also for violating the Social Host Law. She is scheduled to appear at Long Beach City Court on Aug. 1.

“The Long Beach Police Department will not tolerate underage drinking in our community.” Police Commissioner Michael Tangney said in a statement.

The social host ordinance refers to any legal adult who is in charge of the property. The penalty for violating the ordinance is up to $1,000 and 15 days in jail, subject to judicial discretion. The law was passed to hold adults accountable for allowing underage drinking on their premises.

However, if the parents are not at the home, they are not issued a summons, unless they were aware that minors were consuming alcohol on their property or if there have been multiple calls to police reporting prior incidents of underage drinking at the home.

Minors who are issued a summons must pay a fine and may be required to attend an alcohol awareness program.

In 2006, Long Beach became the first city in New York State to pass the Social Host Law. Passage of the ordinance had been a goal of the Coalition to Prevent Underage Drinking, now called Long Beach AWARE, a local community-based nonprofit organization focused on changing the culture around drugs and alcohol and protecting young people.