The Mercer Island City Council plans to move forward on an ordinance to fine parents $250 if their kids throw drinking parties at their homes.

Derek Franklin, with the City of Mercer Island Youth and Family Services Department, says, "across the country, we're seeing from prevention research folks that enacting ordinances like this makes a difference."

Franklin tells 97.3 KIRO FM's Dori Monsons Show they're not on a witch hunt, but they want parents to know the city expects them to "take additional steps to safeguard their kids against the dangers of alcohol."

Listen to Franklin's interview

According to Franklin, most homes, about 95 percent, are responsible, but the other five percent, which translates to about 70 homes on the island, are allowing kids to participate in dangerous behavior.

"It's not about shaming, it's really about finding a way on a policy level to provide some accountability," he says.

The ordinance will not apply to landlords, but the person who is in charge of the premises, whether parent or tenant.

Monson asks, why wouldn't the parents of that 19-year-old tenant who throws a party at his apartment be held accountable while the parents of another 19-year-old living at home will be fined?

Franklin says they still need to hammer out the details of the ordinance. If approved, it would go into effect at the end of the December.

By Stephanie Klein, MyNorthwest.com editor