First parent cited under Mercer Island's 'underage drinking' ordinance
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MERCER ISLAND, Wash. -- A Mercer Island parent is facing a steep fine after becoming the first person to be cited under the city's new underage drinking ordinance.
Mercer Island's "social host law," which took effect in January, was designed to reduce underage drinking parties. It also forces parents to become more aware of what their kids are doing, even when they're home without a parent present.
"This came from the community itself," said Mercer Island Police Commander Dave Jokine. "This is something that the community felt is an important issue to deal with."
One parent recently became the first to suffer the consequences of their kid's actions.
In late February, police broke up a a house party in the Mercerdale neighborhood. Officers cited five teenagers for minor in possession of alcohol.
The father of one of those teens was out of town when the party happened, but that dad is now facing a $250 fine.
Some parents believe it's the right message to send.
"I think it is a fantastic idea," said Kim Johnston. "Listen, if we aren't there to show our kids the right thing to do, who else is going to do it?"
But others say the law isn't fair and should include language to protect unsuspecting parents.
"My concern is -- as I've told my husband -- if I had kids on my property that were drinking now, I wouldn't call the police, because if they came they would cite me," said Lynn Tuttle. "So we don't want that on our record."
Police say they're just enforcing the laws that are on the books.
"Is it fair? Its not up to law enforcement to decide what's fair or not," Jokinen said. "The community brought this forward, the community wants to hold themselves to this standard."
Police officials say they've spoken to other communities about the law, but so far none have taken steps to adopt a similar policy.
Mercer Island's "social host law," which took effect in January, was designed to reduce underage drinking parties. It also forces parents to become more aware of what their kids are doing, even when they're home without a parent present.
"This came from the community itself," said Mercer Island Police Commander Dave Jokine. "This is something that the community felt is an important issue to deal with."
One parent recently became the first to suffer the consequences of their kid's actions.
In late February, police broke up a a house party in the Mercerdale neighborhood. Officers cited five teenagers for minor in possession of alcohol.
The father of one of those teens was out of town when the party happened, but that dad is now facing a $250 fine.
Some parents believe it's the right message to send.
"I think it is a fantastic idea," said Kim Johnston. "Listen, if we aren't there to show our kids the right thing to do, who else is going to do it?"
But others say the law isn't fair and should include language to protect unsuspecting parents.
"My concern is -- as I've told my husband -- if I had kids on my property that were drinking now, I wouldn't call the police, because if they came they would cite me," said Lynn Tuttle. "So we don't want that on our record."
Police say they're just enforcing the laws that are on the books.
"Is it fair? Its not up to law enforcement to decide what's fair or not," Jokinen said. "The community brought this forward, the community wants to hold themselves to this standard."
Police officials say they've spoken to other communities about the law, but so far none have taken steps to adopt a similar policy.
