Teens Hosting Out-of-Control Parties

Today as technology moves at such a rapid pace, parents need to be ahead of the curve. Teens are using social media like Facebook, Twitter, Yik Yak, etc. to talk about parties. The word can get out in seconds causing hundreds of teens to show up an overrun a home.

There have been recent cases of party crashing that have resulted in costly destruction of homes.  There was a case in November in East Northport and more recently in the Huntington/Halesite area.

A home owner who was the victim of party crashing described it as, “High School students showed up at my home. They were drop-kicking lamps, smashing dining room tables, stuffing toilets, crushing Christmas trees. It happened at our house last night while we were out for just 90 minutes.”

Please be aware of the laws that you could be inadvertently breaking if this happens on your property.

The following is information about the Host Law from the Suffolk County Police Department.

Suffolk County’s Social Host Law

What is the Social Host Law?
The primary purpose of the Social Host Law is to deter underage drinking parties or gatherings where adults knowingly allow minors to drink alcohol or alcoholic beverages. The law applies to any adults (including parents) who are over the age of 18 and knowingly allows consumption of alcohol by minors (any person under the age of 21).

Why is this law needed?
This law provides a legal basis for holding adults responsible for knowingly allowing parties for individuals under the age of 21 to occur at a place under their control, whether or not they provide the alcohol.

Who can be charged?
• Anyone who is over the age of 18; and
• Owns, rents, or otherwise controls a private residence; or a permanent or temporary domicile, including a home, apartment, condominium, cooperative unit, trailer home, recreational vehicle, mobile home, overnight accommodations at a hotel, motel, campsite or short‐term rental property; or other dwelling unit of any kind, including yards and open areas adjacent to these locations;
• Knowingly allows the consumption of alcohol or alcoholic beverages by any minor on such premises; or
• Fails to take reasonable corrective action upon learning of the consumption of alcohol or alcoholic beverages by any minor on such premises.

What is “Reasonable Corrective Action?”
Reasonable corrective actions shall include, but are not be limited to:
• Making a prompt demand that the minor(s) stop drinking the alcoholic beverage or leave the premises; and
• If the minor refuses to comply with the request, the adult must promptly report the underage drinking to:
o Local law enforcement; or
o Any other person with greater degree of authority over the minor (e.g. the minors’ parents or guardians, etc.)

What are the penalties?
1st Offense: Fine not to exceed $500
2nd and subsequent offenses: Misdemeanor—fine up to $1,000 and/or a term of imprisonment not to exceed one year

Other laws regarding underage persons….
The New York State Penal Law, the Alcohol Beverage Control Law, and other state and local regulations make it illegal to engage in unlawful conduct with persons under the age of 21. These laws prohibit the sale of alcohol to persons under the age of 21, the purchase of alcohol for someone who is under the age of 21, and address conduct that endangers the welfare of persons of a protected age. Penalties are severe, and in many cases can result in significant fines and/or imprisonment

Help us keep our young community members safe….
• Illegal consumption of alcohol by minors should be reported without delay to:
(631) 852‐COPS (2677)
• Reports of a possible overdose, intoxicated or impaired driver, or other emergency should be called into 911 immediately.
• Information regarding future parties where alcohol or other substances will be unlawfully consumed can be sent via:

Phone: Crime Stoppers confidential tip hotline – 1‐800‐220‐TIPS;
Text: text “SCPD” and the message to “CRIMES” (274637); or

E-mail: send an online submission of an anonymous tip – www.tipsubmit.com
Rewards may be available and most importantly, you may save a life!

A number of resources provide valuable information regarding alcohol and drug abuse among teens, such as the following website:
Parents: The Anti‐Drug – http://www.theantidrug.com/

For additional information on Police Department programs or operations, visit our website:
www.suffolkpd.org
Or contact: Community Response Bureau at (631) 852‐6109
For Non‐Emergency Police Response, please dial (631) 852‐COPS (2677)

Here is the link from SCPD on this click here.