Willmar passes ordinance to fight underage drinking

Drinker
A group of friends drink at house party.
MPR Photo/Tim Post

The Willmar City Council has passed a "social host" ordinance to crack down on people who allow their houses and apartments to be used for underage drinking parties.

Willmar City Administrator, Michael Schmit said the west-central Minnesota town has been dealing with a rash of underage drinking incidents.

"You may have a student who's 21, hosting parties and providing alcohol to underage kids or adults. And that's what this ordinance is trying to get at, is to eliminate that kind of activity and to hold those people responsible," Schmit said.

Under the ordinance, the homeowner could be over or under 21 years old. But if there's underage drinking at their residence, they could be charged.

The Willmar ordinance is modeled after one in Chaska, which was passed after a 19-year-old left a party last winter, passed out and froze to death on a city street.

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