Supes increase penalty for parents who host underage drinking parties

MARTINEZ — Supervisors today stiffened the penalties for parents who knowingly or unknowingly host underage drinking parties.

Supervisor Mary Piepho's social host ordinance would hold parents accountable for parties with more than three underage persons drinking alcohol. Parents could face a misdemeanor charge and up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Previously, parents could be cited and fined $200.

The new law will go into effect in 30 days in unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County.

The ordinance will assist law enforcement in combating underage drinking parties, which can often become a chaotic scene, said Jim Bickert of the Contra Costa Sheriff's Deputy Association.

"If you can imagine the running of the bulls in Pamplona. It's very much like that," he told the board.

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