LAGUNA HILLS – A beating of a woman in Nellie Gail has drawn neighborhood outrage and is prompting city officials to look at ways to curb out-of-control teen partying.
In mid-April, the 21-year-old was outside her house when she was beaten with a baseball bat by assailants her parents believe were teens partying at a nearby home. She suffered severe injuries.
The injuries drew the attention of Councilwoman Melody Carruth, who is now asking her colleagues at tonight's City Council meeting to consider a social-host ordinance as a way to stop underage drinking.
The ordinance would hold adults accountable for providing a location for teen drinking and could result in a fine of $1,000.
The Mission Viejo City Council voted 5-0 last week to begin work on such an ordinance through their city attorney. They are expected to take the topic up again on May 19. If enacted, Mission Viejo would be the first in Orange County to do so.
From May 2007 until now, the Sheriff's Department has responded to 517 party calls in Laguna Hills, but sheriff's Lt. Steve Doan was not sure how many of these were underage drinkers. Red Corral in Nellie Gail is a street officers know well. From 16 party calls on that street, nine targeted the same home. There were five crashes that involved underage drinkers.
About 30 neighbors from the equestrian community gathered last week to voice their concerns to the city officials. They complained about fights, trash, loud noise and trespassing and expressed frustration with neighborhood parents sanctioning use of alcohol by minors.
"It's important the City Council send a message to residents that we are concerned about their health and safety," said Carruth.
