I don’t party anywhere near what I used to. When I was younger, the occasional house party being hosted by a High School friend or a party that I hosted at my parents house when they were out of town. Parties were a weekly occurrence almost all the time from high school through my time at DVC.

For the most part the parents had little to no idea that there was a party being hosted at their house while they were away. There were rare cases where the parents knew full well what the kids were doing and sometimes they just stayed on the opposite side of the house while the party took place. But with a new ordinance for Contra Costa County passes, the hammer may come down on parents in a big way.

If a new ordinance passes today, Contra Costa parents could be held responsible for such parties involving alcohol. Parents would face a misdemeanor, up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, according to Supervisor Mary Nejedly Piepho’s stringent social host ordinance.

“No person shall suffer, permit, allow, or host a gathering at his or her place of residence or other private property under his or her control where three or more persons under the age of 21 are present and where alcoholic beverages are in the possession of, or are being consumed by, any person under the age of 21,” according to the ordinance.

Source: Times

The ordinance passed and now the parents better look out. With this ordinance passed, even if parents have no idea of the party taking place, they can still be held liable. This is where I have the issue.

Are the parents really liable?

I can understand when a party gets busted by the CPD and they find a group of underage drinkers where some law needs to be enforced. Concord Police have much larger issues to be dealing with like armed robberies and other crime. But are the parents liable if they have NO IDEA that this party is even taking place? I don’t think so. I understand that kids hosting parties need to be reprimanded and yes parents need to have control and a better handle on their kids but is it right to bring the parents up on charges for this? I can’t see how this ordinance can be passed and parents really should be pissed. As a parent, are you alright with this?

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