IN HER OWN WORDS: Baebler Explains Decision To Nix 'Social Hosting' Crackdown On Booze

The following is a verbatim statement by Sunset Hills Alderwoman Dee Baebler, obtained from her in email form on Wednesday, the day after the of a so-called "Social Hosting" ordinance. 

Here, Baebler explains how she came to vote against the measure brought to the board by Alderwoman Pat Fribis.

I notify residents on my email chain in Ward 1 of the Board of Alderman agenda items prior to the meetings so they are aware of issues up for vote before the votes take place.

I invite residents of my ward to attend the meetings and be active participants in the city. 

This has worked well. I’ve gotten feedback, answered questions and gotten to know more of the residents on a personal level. 

As a result of this week’s agenda items, namely Ordinance No. 5, I received quite a bit of feedback. The following points were made:

1) “This is not something conceived by concerned residents of Sunset Hills, rather this is a movement outside of our community;

2) Some of us have lived in Sunset Hills all of our lives without such an ordinance;

3) I'm glad my parents weren't arrested or fined for the acts of myself or my friends when I was growing up;

4) There already exists laws that make it illegal to serve alcohol to a minor. There are likewise laws that make it illegal for a minor to be in possession of alcohol. Any person under 21 (a "minor") would be charged as an adult for this offense;

5) The question was asked, “If I’m out of town and my minor child has friends over against our instruction, and one of those friends brings a beer, how can it be right for me to be charged?”;

6) The story was told about a friend living in Chesterfield where they have such an ordinance. He was away from his home when his 20 year old son had some friends over to the house. Some of the son’s friends had brought beer to the get together by the pool. Police were called who broke up the party. My colleague was shocked when he was later criminally charged as the homeowner under this statute;

7) Parents have called the police department when they came home to find minors in their home or at their pool in possession of alcohol. What will they do now? This would no longer be the case if those same officers were compelled to charge the very people asking for help. The Sunset Hills police would now have to investigate and charge parents and homeowners when their teenagers break the existing law. These police will also testify against the very homeowners they are paid to help and protect.”

I spoke with a member of our police department who expressed his belief that the new ordinance might hinder instead of help police.

I also believe the scope was too broad and would vicariously criminalize parents for the acts of teenagers in large part out of the parents’ control.

I am 100% against adults, parents or otherwise, supplying or allowing the use of alcohol in their homes to minors.

However, after hearing this is not a pressing issue in our community, and there are laws in place and working well to deter this behavior, I was compelled to vote against the new ordinance.

If any of the residents of Ward 1 would like to join my email list to get monthly updates, please drop me a note to caddyshack2004@charter.net