The Paper

Pryor teen-agers want the city to crack down on adults hosting parties where minors are consuming alcohol.

Granting the wishes of Evett Barham’s students at Pryor High, Mayor Jimmy Tramel urged the city council’s budget committee to approve a “social host” law and, on Tuesday, the full council forwarded the proposed ordinance to the city attorney for his review.

Mayor Tramel said he was a guest at Barham’s class when teens brought up the problem.

Maximum fine for “social host” violators is a proposed $500 and 60 days in jail.

The proposed new law states that the city defines as “harmful” those parties on private property where alcoholic beverages, including low-point beer, are consumed by minors.

The proposed ordinance states “often” the minors obtain the alcoholic beverages, including low-point beer on private property “under the control of a person who knows or should know” the activity is going on.

The city considers this not just “harmful” to the minors but “a threat to the peace, health, safety, or general welfare of the public.”

If police do not have the authority to direct the host to disperse the gathering and arrest offenders, such gatherings would be “difficult to prevent,” according to the law’s language.

A person knowingly allowing minors to consume alcoholic beverages, or low-point beer, on private property assumes “criminal liability,” according to the proposed ordinance.

The proposed ordinance states it is the duty of the person having control of the premises where a party is being held to “take all reasonable steps” to prevent minors from consuming alcoholic beverages or low-point beer.

The proposed ordinance “shall not apply to conduct involving the use of alcoholic beverages that occurs exclusively between a minor and his parent or legal guardian” nor “any religious practice which includes the use of alcohol.”

However, if a minor leaves a family gathering or religious gathering and is found to be intoxicated, providers of alcohol will be held responsible in the same manner as non-family or non-religious gathering.

After the proposed ordinance is reviewed by the city attorney and approved, a first reading of the proposed ordinance will be held at a city council meeting, followed at the next meeting by a vote to approve or disapprove the proposed ordinance.