SOMERVILLE — If the borough doesn’t have the problem of minors partying with alcohol at home, why should council create a law against it?
That question led Borough Council Monday to table a vote on an ordinance that would have given police what the Prosecutor’s Office has called “another tool” to combat teenage drinking and driving — the ability to charge teens who drink in private residences.
There are already laws that make it illegal for minors to consume or possess alcohol in public, including behind the wheel or as a passenger. The proposed ordinance would make it a crime for people under 21 to consume or possess alcohol on private property. It would impose first offense fines of $250, with $250-$500 for subsequent offenses.
Under the ordinance, a young offender would automatically have his or her driver’s license suspended or delayed, if younger than 17.
Prosecutor Geoffrey Soriano has encouraged municipal governing bodies to adopt such ordinances. According to Soriano, all but seven municipalities in the county — one of which is Somerville — have adopted the measure. He encouraged the borough to adopt the ordinance in a May letter.
The intent, Soriano has said, is to eliminate underage drinking at private parties. It’s not intended to preclude teens from consuming alcohol for religious observance, for example, or drinking in the presence of a parent, guardian or adult blood relative, where culture or family tradition may come into play.
Still, some borough officials find the ordinance troubling. Last month they asked Borough Administrator Kevin Sluka to invite Soriano, or someone from his office, to explain why it’s necessary here.
But Monday night Sluka told council that Soriano had declined that invitation. Soriano made it clear, Sluka said, “His office is not going to serve as a public advocate for the ordinance.”
That led council to question the source of the effort to get municipalities to adopt such ordinances. If it’s the police chief’s association, agreed council members and Mayor Brian Gallagher, perhaps someone from that organization, or Somerville Chief Dennis Manning, should explain why it’s needed.
According to Councilwoman Margaret Weinberger, who serves as police commissioner, Manning told her that the borough had just eight such incidents in 10 years.
Resident Jim Loewen opined that the proposed ordinance violated privacy rights.
“I think it’s going too far," Loewen said. How parents teach their children about alcohol is their business, Loewen said. If the ordinance is meant to address teen drinking parties, he said, “Somerville doesn’t have that issue.” He feared that the ordinance would “obligate” police to investigate tips about such incidents.
Council asked Sluka to find someone who wants the borough to adopt the ordinance to appear before it next month to explain why, and took no action on the measure.
Reach Warren Cooper at email@example.com or 908-948-1261.