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Westchester County police officers were dispatched to a Victoria Drive home in Mount Kisco on Saturday night, Jan. 26 when there were neighbor complaints of a “large, underage drinking party in progress.”
Upon arrival at the home, officers found several open cases of beer, empty cans of beer and an open bottle of vodka inside the residence.
Police said that 27 minors and an 18-year-old were found at the party. Officers contacted each of their parents and had an adult come to the residence to take their child home.
The homeowner, who was present at the time of the party, was issued a summons charging him with unlawfully dealing with a child, a misdemeanor. He is scheduled to appear in Mount Kisco Justice Court on Thursday, Feb. 14.
According to police, “ the dangers to youths involved in underage drinking are well documented. At the top of the list: One in seven teens involved in a fatal car crash had been drinking.
“Young people under the influence of alcohol face an increased risk of injury or death -- from alcohol poisoning to falls to a broad range of other causes. Too often impaired teens have also been the victims of physical assault, sexual assault or other crimes due to their impaired state.”
In a statement, Westchester County Police officials said, “the incident is a reminder to parents (or anyone who hosts a party at their home) that they have a legal responsibility to be aware of what is occurring at their home to prevent underage drinking. That's not just our opinion; it's the law.
“WCPD and its Office of Drug Prevention & Stop-DWI work regularly with community coalitions, school districts and other organizations to encourage young people to make safe and healthy choices.”
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