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it in the confines of your house, making sure nobody leaves and drives. He ventured to <br />say that 80 - 90% of the parents of the kids consuming the alcohol would not support <br />their child being at a party drinking alcohol. The one pennissive parent has ascribed their <br />own values much to the chagrin if they do find out, and often times do, to the remaining <br />parents of the kids who are at the party. This modifies the existing ordinance to knock <br />the dual standard comment that was made at the beginning. While we do have an <br />ordinance and it is unlawful for a person to host this type of party, it is not unlawful for <br />the kid who is underage to be sitting at home consuming the alcohol, becoming <br />intoxicated, or possessing it. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hosterman asked Mr. Roush to follow up on the discussion that had taken <br />place the prior day when they went over the elements and levels of scrutiny used to <br />analyze these types of fundamental rights. It is obvious to her that it is unconstitutional <br />and she has a sense that certainly it would be challenged and she would like Mr. Roush to <br />give some feedback on this. <br /> <br /> Mr. Roush stated he felt while one could argue that it is unconstitutional, he felt <br />the City's analysis would indicate (1) that is not pre-emptive by State law, which allows <br />cities to regulate in the area of alcohol consumption, whether it be by adults or by minors. <br />The question would be whether or not this ordinance intrudes upon the homeowners <br />Fourth Amendment rights. He would say the appropriate test would be a balancing test, a <br />rational basis test. In other words, the court would simply look at whether or not there is <br />a rational basis to do it and would not apply a higher level of strict scrutiny standard to it. <br />If a court did apply that higher standard, he thought there would be more difficulty in <br />defending the ordinance under these circumstances. Normally in the area of regulation <br />of this, even though it does involve the potential entry into a home by a police officer, he <br />thought the court would use the more deferential standard. If a different level of scrutiny <br />were applied, a different result could obviously take place. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hosterman asked about general police power and the ability to regulate acts <br />for health, safety and welfare measures. Does this give the City any advantage? <br /> <br /> Chief Neal said it does and it is not uncommon to apply it to this circumstance. <br />Beyond the probably cause issue, which is reasonable cause to believe a crime is being <br />committed, the secondary aspect of this is the welfare of people inside of the home. It is <br />not uncommon for the police to force entry into a home where somebody is believed to <br />be incapacitated or unconscious. There have been times when they have been called to <br />check on the welfare of an intoxicated teen age gift in the home and he believed they <br />have the authority and it is appropriate to search the home until they have located the <br />bedroom that the girl was in to check on her welfare. Society gives the police very broad <br />powers not only within the criminal realm, but the safety and welfare realm to enter a <br />private property to discern whether a criminal act is in progress or somebody's life is at <br />risk. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hosterman asked why the City could not find rational relationship between <br />finding for going into a home for the sake under welfare, and under that same umbrella, <br /> <br />Pleasanton City Council 14 04/01/03 <br />Minutes <br /> <br /> <br />