Green Bay Police to address underage drinking
By WFRV
With graduation season in full swing, Green Bay Police want to remind parents and students about the dangers of underage drinking.
"We've seen across the state and across the country the tragedies that take place from underage drinking," says Chief Andrew Smith with the Green Bay Police Department.
It's a problem that police in Green Bay are committed to solving.
"Make sure your child has a plan and that you know what it is. Know where your child is going," says Lt. Jeff Brester with GBPD.
That's why Green Bay Police are teaming with the Green Bay School District and Brown County Health and Human Services, to talk about alternatives to drinking during graduation season.
"For example on graduation night we will be holding a senior lock-in with a lot of activities to encourage the kids to come and do something productive in an alcohol free environment," says Curt Julian, assistant principal of East High School.
Officials in the community are also educating parents about the consequences of hosting underage drinking parties.
"Because of some recent changes and issues with citing parents, we will not be citing parents but we will be citing any of the youth at these parties that are drinking," says Chief Smith.
However, police say parents are still liable in the process.
"If they provide alcohol to an underage person at their house they are civilly liable for some of the actions that could occur," says Chief Smith.
Emergency responders say safety is their primary concern, and that parents should be looking out for their child's best interest.
"We want the graduation parties to happen, we just want them to be safe and the kids to be okay," says Lt. Brester.
State Representitive Andre Jacque continues to work on a bill aimed at fining parents who host underage parties.