Nassau County Police made its first arrest for the new social drinking law when they arrested a 45-year-old West Hempstead woman for allegedly allowing minors to drink at her birthday party.

According to Nassau County Police Deputy Chief of Patrol Robert Turk, police were called to the home on Dogwood Avenue in the vicinity of Forte Boulevard to respond to a fight. Police allege that Karen Dittmer allowed minors, including her son, to drink beer in the backyard of her home on Dogwood Avenue during a party on Sunday night, although Dettmer denies having served any minors alcohol.

The Social Host bill, which was signed into law last month by Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, was designed to hold homeowners or renters responsible for knowingly permitting underage drinking to take place at their domiciles.

According to Turk, there were about 30 people attending the party and when the police car pulled up to the home, some of the people who were attending the party approached the police officers' car. The investigating led police to the backyard to see who was in control of the premises, Turk said.

According to police, Dittmer's son, 18-year-old Donald Dittmer, as well as other underage individuals allegedly were drinking beer.

There is an exception to the law that allows a parent or guardian to permit their child to consume an alcoholic beverage on the premises if the parent or guardian is present. However, Turk said another subject who is considered a minor when it comes to drinking alcohol told people she had been drinking at the party. "We had a couple of people who weren't related to Mrs. Dittmer who were drinking," he said.

Turk believes the law gives police a tool to prevent uncontrolled parties where underage drinking is involved but said the Nassau Police Department will not be the "party police," used to break up parties. "The message we want to give to the people is you are going to be held responsible if you are going to invite people who are minors onto your property and you have knowledge that you're allowing them to drink. Even if you're not providing them with the drinks, you have that responsibility," he said.

In addition to Dittmer receiving an appearance ticket, which is returnable to First District Court in Hempstead on Aug. 16, Donald Dittmer was also arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. He was released on an appearance ticket that is also returnable to First District Court on Aug. 16.

If convicted, the offense is punishable by a $250 fine.

Police are investigating an apparent homicide that occurred in Elmont.

According to police, at approximately 11 p.m. on Saturday night, a man was found shot to death inside a white minivan that was parked in front of a home on 240th Street in Elmont.

Police said the victim, who was later identified as Larry Jason, 36, of Elmont was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police ask anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All calls will remain anonymous.