Franklin Co. BOC Considering Social Host Ordinance

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

Franklin County commissioners want more information before they make a decision on whether to institute a Social Host ordinance.

At their work session Tuesday evening, the board heard from Carmen Westbrook.

Westbrook is the Community Involvement Specialist for the non-profit group, Hearts for Families, which is spearheading the ordinance effort.

Westbrook told the Board the goal of the Social Host ordinance is to place responsibility on the part of the adult who allows underage drinking and/or provides alcohol to minors on their property.

“A social host ordinance gives adults accountability,” she said. “It’s written specific to each community, but it could provide control access to alcohol to those under 21. It’s not illegal for adults to have a liquor cabinet, but if they are not attending that alcohol, it’s very easy for youth to access that alcohol.”

Westbrook said a social host ordinance would also give officers called to a home where there’s underage drinking more authority to cite the adults who allowed the minors to have alcohol.

“Anyone allowing minors under 21 to drink alcohol would be held accountable,” she said. “It could be a citation, a fine up to $1,000, or up to six months jail time for repeat offenders and bill for law enforcement or medical services.”

Franklin County Sheriff Steve Thomas spoke in favor of a social host ordinance.

Thomas said law enforcement currently has no authority to stop an underage drinking party inside a private residence.

“You have to get into the home to see the party going on,” he said. “From time to time we do get calls about parties going on and we do go into the houses, but we have to have enough insight to find out who was giving the alcohol to the minor and we can charge them, but it’s a very long, drawn out thing we have to do.”

Missy Holbrooks is the Franklin County Clerk of Court.

Holbrooks said there has been a marked increase in the court’s juvenile caseload in Franklin County and she believes the social host ordinance would help reduce that number.

“Since I’ve taken office, the juvenile caseload has increased tremendously,” she told the Board. “So we do need some kind of ordinance or understanding for the juveniles and their families that this is not acceptable. And we would ask you to please ask the county attorney to draw up an ordinance so this can go forward.”

Commissioner Jeff Jacques asked for examples of the Social Host ordinance instituted by other Georgia counties.

The board made no decision, but said they would review those examples and discuss the matter further at future meetings.