An estimated 85 South Carolinians under the age of 21 die each year due to alcohol use. In response to this, the Clemson City Police Department has proposed a new ordinance that would hold social hosts accountable if there are intoxicated minors present. This proposal just had its first public hearing and will be voted on at a later date by City Council.
“We want to prevent [underage drinking] but right now we have no way to do anything about it, except trying to catch people,” City Attorney, Mary McCormac said. “If you’ve ever been to a party, they scatter like ants as soon as the police arrive.”
The proposed ordinance is targeting out-of-control social gatherings, where the host has lost the ability to shepherd their guests. According to the ordinance, an out-of-control social gathering is one where “the public safety, health, peace and welfare is threatened and/or disturbed.”
This ordinance was proposed by the city of Clemson’s Police Chief, Jimmy Dixon. He feels that this is needed to help curb the amount of underage drinking around campus, and that current measures are not enough. CUPD busts an average of upwards of 200 parties a year, according to Dixon.
When busted, many underage drinkers are able to leave parties before they are apprehended by police. If this new ordinance is passed, hosts will face fines and potential jail time if minors are present. Under the proposed ordinance, first time offenders will have to pay a $200 fine, second time offenders a $300 fine, third time offenders a $400 or up to 30 days in jail and fourth time and subsequent time offenders face a $500 fee and/or up to 30 days in jail.
One important aspect of the ordinance is that these social hosts are not only private citizens hosting parties in their own residences, but also owners of bars and other establishments that serve alcohol. When asked about the new ordinance, students seemed mostly indecisive.
“I think it kind of sucks for the host. They aren’t necessarily at fault, but they create the situation. I’m ambivalent,” sophomore Psychology major Stephanie Cavanaugh said.
Some citizens feel that this is too much oversight by the police department and that there are already enough measures to stop underage drinking. There are also worries that this new ordinance will hurt the police department’s attempts to register parties.
“I thought the registration of the party was a brilliant idea, and I fear that [the ordinance’s] current form will drive that underground,” Clemson resident Kyle Tausland said. “You don’t have to have the host to write the Minor in Possession to the people who are underage; that’s easy.”
There was some support among the city council that agreed with those sentiments, with both council members Tim Fowler and John Duckworth III voicing respective concerns about overreach by the police and that current efforts aren’t enough.
“I’m a little bit concerned that now the next thing we’re gonna do is to tell people what to watch on TV,” Fowler said. “It creates a mental attitude towards something that creates a problem.”
“I think if the kids get MIPs they’ll stop going to parties, and then we won’t have to punish the hosts,” Duckworth said. “I would love for the police to hand out MIPs like candy-bars.”
Some other concerns raised by city council members included whether this proposed ordinance was aimed specifically at students. “If the application of this is somewhat purely meant for a student group, then, I guess is that what we’re saying?” Fowler said. “You won’t ever hear me say that,” Dixon responded.
The ordinance will be voted on later this spring.
