Manhattan Beach City Prosecutor to Co-Lead Forum on New Laws Affect on Teens

HERMOSA BEACH, CA -- A Manhattan Beach city prosecutor will co-lead a parents forum Thursday to discuss new laws that will go into effect following the election and how they will affect teenagers.

The "Parent Chat: How the New Laws Impact Your Teens" forum, hosted by the Beach Cities Prevention Community Council, will provide an opportunity for parents and community members to have their questions answered by experts.

The forum will answer questions parents may have regarding:

• Hermosa Beach social host ordinance
• Bullying in the classrooms
• State of the laws regarding marijuana, tobacco and alcohol
• Impact on new laws as it pertains to underage youth following the Nov. 8 election

In April, Hermosa Beach adopted a social host ordinance with a $2,500 fine for first-time offenders.

Organizers hope that by attending this event, parents understand how the Social Host Ordinance functions as a tool to help reduce underage access to alcohol at house parties. According to a study, Beach Cities have the greatest occurrences of underage drinking in all of Los Angeles County, as well as higher than average rates nationally.

According to a 2014 survey conducted by the Los Angeles County Behavioral Health Service and National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence titled “Underage Drinking in the Beach Cities,” Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach teens reported having “easy” access to alcohol.

The study found that all of Hermosa Beach have “somewhat” or “very” easy access to alcohol and more than two-thirds say they get their alcohol at parties. More than one-quarter say they have adult friends to buy alcohol for them.

Additionally, parents will receive information on how medical and recreational marijuana will impact youth and families in the beach cities.

Panel experts who will be leading the forum include Hermosa Beach police Capt. Milton McKinnon, Clear Recovery Center community director Howard Barker, and Manhattan Beach city prosecutor Joan Stein Jenkins.

The forum will be held from 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Thursday at the Hermosa Beach City Council Chambers.

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