Two women cited for social host violation near campus

Two underage women at a residence in the St. Thomas neighborhood were cited by St. Paul police for violating the social host ordinance in the early hours of March 18.

According to the police report, four others at the Marshall Avenue house were cited for underage consumption. The two women cited for the social host violation also received minor consumption citations. The report does not identify whether those cited are St. Thomas students.

No court date was listed on the report.

Under the ordinance, which went into effect Dec. 12, those who are deemed a “social host” in a situation where there are underage drinkers could get a maximum penalty of $1,000 and/or 90 days in jail. A violation of this ordinance is considered a misdemeanor.

John Hershey, St. Thomas’ neighborhood liaison, told TommieMedia in December that the social host ordinance is intended to hold people responsible for hosting events where underage people are drinking, even if they don’t provide the alcohol.

Shane Kitzman can be reached at smkitzman@stthomas.edu