The Thousand Oaks social host ordinance states that underage drinking is harmful to the child and a threat to the peace, health, safety, quiet enjoyment of residential property and the general welfare of the public.

Young people who have been consuming alcoholic beverages are at greater risk to be in automobile accidents, to commit suicide and to be assaulted. Young girls are at greater risk of sexual assaults when drinking alcohol, the ordinance states.

“In Thousand Oaks the social host fine is $2,500. In Ventura it is $1,000,” City Attorney Amy Albano said. “The City Council felt the fine needed to be significant to be a deterrent,” Albano said.

According to the ordinance, law enforcement, fire and other emergency response services personnel are required to respond, sometimes on multiple occasions, to underage gatherings where alcoholic beverages are served to juveniles. The repeated return of police officers to the location of an event constitutes a drain of emergency personnel and resources, often leaving other areas of the city without police protection or with unreasonably limited protection.

An alcoholic beverage is defined as any liquid or solid with ½ of 1 percent or more of alcohol. A juvenile is any person under 18. The law covers any dwelling including a home, yard, apartment, condominium, hotel or motel room, a hall or meeting room that is temporary or permanent, owned, leased, rented or used without compensation.

The person responsible means anyone with a right of possession of the residence. “A responsible person need not be present at such a gathering,” the ordinance states.

“We have a really valid and simple ordinance,” Albano said.

—Nancy Needham