ERMA- Lower Township Council is considering an ordinance that would give more enforcement power to police when juveniles are discovered drinking alcohol in a private home.
At a Mon., March 19 meeting, Mayor Michael Beck said the idea for the ordinance was generated by Cape Assist. He said in New Jersey, towns are able to pass an ordinance which makes it a crime for juveniles to consume alcohol within a residence. If Lower Township police respond to a disorderly party, they have the power to arrest the adults.
“They do not have the power at this point to cite the underage drinkers,” said Beck.
He said 10 of the county’s 16 municipalities have an underage drinking ordinance.
“What we can’t afford to do is become a haven for teenage drinking if the word gets out our township is one of the few towns that does not enforce underage drinking,” said Beck.
It does not infringe on parent’s rights if you are at home and have a 20 year old child and provide them with a beer, he said.
Bills are moving through the state senate and assembly but “not quick enough to address the issue,” said Beck.
According to Cape Assist, the average age of first use of alcohol in Cape May County is 11 years old.
Beck said he liked a provision in Cape May Point’s underage drinking ordinance. It specifies a juvenile under age 17 that has been arrested for underage drinking loses their driver’s license.
Beck said an alcohol awareness class provision should be included in the ordinance in lieu of a fine for a juvenile.
Lower Township Police Chief Brian Marker said it was common for officers to encounter underage drinking during the summer months. He said parents were contacted in those instances but police did not always receive their cooperation.
Marker said they had repeat offenders. He suggested an educational component using substance abuse coordinators and students at the high school.
Marker said the role of police was to stop underage drinking “before something tragic happens.” He asked council to consider passing the ordinance.
Council was in agreement for the need for the ordinance.
Deputy Mayor Kevin Lare said he was little skittish about officers entering a residence without probable cause.
Beck said probable cause would include a loud, disruptive party taking place inside a residence. He agreed probable cause was needed for police to enter a residence.
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Do you think it's appropriate for BLM to call for "Burning down the city" and "Black Vigilantes" because…
