Authorities dispersed a massive house party of minors in Rancho Santa Fe.
SAN DIEGO — Law enforcement dispersed a massive house party in Rancho Santa Fe on Saturday night after a couple of hundred minors arrived at what had been intended as a family’s celebration for a daughter, authorities said.
The family had to call for help to disperse the kids. Videos of the scene quickly spread on social media. The scene drew significant attention, including a helicopter to the area. A worker at a nearby business described what he heard about the incident from a customer. “She says, the helicopter was saying ‘all the kids have to leave’,” said Ashris Saleem, a cashier.
The Sheriff’s Office said they cited the parents for social hosting. According to the agency’s website, a “social host” is anyone who knowingly hosts parties where minors are provided alcohol or marijuana on property they own, rent or control.
Legal analyst Dan Eaton explained the serious implications parents could face in such situations. “One of the key questions is whether they knew or should have known that alcohol was being provided. They don’t physically have to hand out the alcohol to the minors, for example serving as bartender for the event. If alcohol is available and underage people consume it, then the parents are potentially on the hook for civil and criminal liability, in particularly if harm results,” said Dan Eaton, legal analyst.
To learn more information on the Social Host Ordinances, visit sdsheriff.gov