The Common Council of the City of Oswego finds that underage
drinking is a significant societal problem that has generated widespread
concern in the City of Oswego. Although the State of New York has
acted to proscribe the unlawful giving, selling and possessing of
alcohol in relation to minors, it has not regulated the situation
where a person knowingly permits the consumption of alcohol by a minor
in his or her home. The underage consumption of alcohol, whether at
a party or a smaller gathering, poses an immediate threat to the public
health, safety and welfare of the residents of the City of Oswego,
often leading to alcohol abuse by minors, physical altercations, accidental
injuries, neighborhood vandalism, excessive noise disturbances requiring
the intervention of local law enforcement and the commission, of violent
crimes, including sexual offenses and serious assaults. This article
will serve to deter the consumption of alcoholic beverages by minors
by holding those responsible when they permit the consumption of alcoholic
beverages by minors at their residences.
A violation of §
59-11 of this article shall be punished as follows:
A. First offense: Any person who violates §
59-9 of this article shall be guilty of an unclassified misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $250.
B. Second offenses: Any person who violates §
59-9 of this article within one year of the first offense shall be guilty of an unclassified misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $500, a term of imprisonment not to exceed 15 days in jail, or both.
C. Subsequent offenses: Any person who violates §
59-9 of this article more than twice within two years of the second offense shall be guilty of an unclassified misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $1,000, a term of imprisonment not to exceed one year, or both.
This chapter shall apply to all actions occurring on or after
the effective date of this chapter.