[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees
of the Village of Rockville Centre 10-16-2007 by L.L. No. 8-2007. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended 5-25-2010 by L.L. No. 7-2010]
The Board of Trustees of the Village of Rockville
Centre finds that underage drinking is a significant societal problem
that has general widespread concern in the Village of Rockville Centre.
Although the New York State legislature has acted to proscribe the
unlawful giving, selling and possessing of alcohol in relation to
minors, it has not regulated situations in which a person over the
age of 16 knowingly permits the consumption of alcohol by a minor
in his or her home. The consumption of alcohol by underage persons,
whether at a party or a smaller gathering, poses an immediate threat
to the public health, safety and welfare of the residents of Rockville
Centre, 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 local law is intended to deter the consumption of alcoholic beverages
by minors by holding those over the age of 16 responsible when they
permit the consumption of alcoholic beverages by minors in violation
of the provisions of this law.
As used in this chapter, unless the context
clearly indicates otherwise, the following words shall have the following
meanings:
Ethyl alcohol, hydrated oxide of ethyl or spirits of wine,
from whatever source or by whatever means produced.
Any liquor, wine, beer, spirits, cider or other liquid or
solid, patented or not, composed of, or containing, alcohol or spirits,
whether or not brewed, fermented or distilled, and capable of being
consumed by a person, except that confectionary containing alcohol
as provided by Subdivision 12 of § 200 of the New York State
Agriculture and Markets Law shall not be regarded as an alcoholic
beverage within the meaning of this section.
Aware of, or having reason to be aware of, the consumption
of alcohol by a minor.
Any person under the age of 21.
Any home, apartment, condominium, cooperative unit or other
dwelling unit of any kind, including yards and open areas adjacent
thereto.
A.
It shall be unlawful for any person over the age of
16 who owns, rents or otherwise is in control of a private residence
to knowingly allow the consumption of alcohol or alcoholic beverages
by any minor on such premises or to fail to take reasonable corrective
action upon learning of the consumption of alcohol or alcoholic beverages
by any minor on such premises. Reasonable corrective action pursuant
to this paragraph shall include, but not be limited to:
[Amended 5-25-2010 by L.L. No. 7-2010]
(1)
Making a prompt demand that such minor either forfeit
and refrain from further consumption of the alcoholic beverages or
depart from the premises; and
(2)
If such minor does not comply with such request, either
promptly reporting such underage consumption of alcohol to the local
law enforcement agency or to any other person having a greater degree
of authority over the conduct of such minor.
A violation of this chapter shall constitute
an offense. Each first offense, and each subsequent offense, shall
be punished as follows:
A.
First offense. Any person who violates this chapter
shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $250, where such violation
constitutes the person's first offense in violation of this chapter
within a period of 12 months.
B.
Second offense. Any person who violates this chapter
shall be punished by a fine not less than $500 and not more than $750,
where such violation constitutes the person's second offense in violation
of this chapter within a period of 12 months.
C.
Third and subsequent offenses. Any person who violates
this chapter shall be punished by either a fine of at least $750 and
not more than $1,000, a term of imprisonment not to exceed 15 days,
or both such fine and imprisonment, where such violation constitutes
the person's third or subsequent violation of this chapter within
a period of 12 months.
