The Garden City Police Department, together with your school district, wish to make you aware of problems associated with teenagers and alcohol use.

As the school year ends and prom night and graduation approach, many house parties will be held to celebrate these events. Unfortunately, some parents will serve alcoholic beverages to persons under the age of 21. This is a violation of the New York State Penal Law and the New York State Alcohol Beverage Control Law. Our intent is to make you aware of this fact and to further advise you that as the host of such a party the potential for civil liability and criminal charges is real.

Keg parties are popular with the young underage drinker. An admission price is charged to enter the party and guests are permitted to consume all the beer they want. These parties attract large numbers of persons and usually take place at a home that is left unsupervised by parents who leave for an extended period of time.

You, as the owner of the premises, do not have to be present to be held liable for any unfortunate incident that may occur, including noise complaints, assaults, damage to neighbor's property, as well as drunk driving incidents. The Garden City Police Department supports a Zero Tolerance Policy with Driving While Intoxicated [DWI] violations.

Any person who hosts or allows a party to be held where alcohol is served to persons under the age of 21 can and will be arrested and charged with a misdemeanor under the Alcohol Beverage Control Law, as well as The New York State Penal Law "unlawfully dealing with a child in the first degree," a class A misdemeanor. You are also at risk for civil action by those persons who may suffer damage or injury as a result of alcohol- influenced behavior.

The police department recognizes the accomplishments of our youth and wishes them well in their future endeavors. We also wish to minimize our negative contacts and to that end we need your cooperation. Remember, a person must be 21 years of age to consume, possess or purchase alcoholic beverages.

Ernest J. Cipullo

Garden City Commissioner of Police