Tiered 21-only fine is reasonable

By The Gazette Editorial Board

Citations for underage drinking in bars have plummeted Iowa City's 21-only ordinance went on the books last summer. For example, comparing February 2010 to the same month this year, the number issued dropped 45 percent.

With regular enforcement, police are writing only a handful of citations each month for violating the 21 ordinance itself.

We're glad to see the ordinance is being enforced and having an effect. As we've said previously, barring underage patrons from bars is one important strategy in reducing binge drinking among University of Iowa students and other young residents and visitors.

We also agree with UI student leaders who say the current fine for first-time violators of the 21-only ordinance is excessive. We're glad to see City Councilors giving serious consideration to a new, tiered approach - including a smaller, but still significant, fine for first offenses.

A smaller initial fine is more reasonable, and helps keep the focus not only on the letter but also the spirit of the 21-only law: combating underage drinking.

As the ordinance is written, underage people caught by police in bars after the 10 p.m. cutoff are subject to a $500 fine. After court and other fees are added, violators end up paying more than $700 for violating the rule.

Last week, UI student government leaders asked city councilors to rethink that cost, arguing that it's too much to pay just for being in the bar.

We agree, especially when considering that the fine for possessing alcohol under the legal age - the target that led to the 21-only ordinance in the first place - is only $330 for first-time offenders. Subsequent offenses will get you a $500 ticket.

City councilors discussed this week a proposal to reduce the initial fine for violating the 21-ordinance to $300, but impose stiffer fines on repeat violators - $500 on the second offense and then $625 for third and subsequent offenses.

Critics of change say the current fine amount is apparently working and it's easy to avoid a $700-plus ticket for being in a bar after 10 p.m. - just don't break the law.

But we don't think reducing the initial ticket will be any less a deterrent - $300 is still a stiff fine for most cash-strapped students. Graduating the fine to get repeat offenders' attention makes sense, as well.

n Comments: thegazette.com/category/

opinion/editorial or editorial@sourcemedia.net