By Lauralyn Avallone
It's 10 P.M. do you know where your children are?
While many parents are peacefully sleeping in their beds, their teens are cracking open beers and lighting up cigarettes in some not-so-safe spots in Baldwin. Lt. Rick Capece of the First Precinct Alcohol and Tobacco Abatement Program knows all too well where kids are hanging out - and hiding out- to drink.
"Any place where you have underage children feeling the effects of alcoholic beverages is unsafe," said Lt. Capece.
The choice spots are secluded areas that are out of sight and earshot of the public. Some of these locations are undesirable and pose a risk to kids under the influence. One such place is the underpass at Milburn Pond Park. The few slanted feet of concrete that stretches from the wall down into the water is a popular hang out for kids to drink and smoke without being seen.
After one too many beers, an accidental slip or a playful shove and it's into the water they go. Lt. Capece said on one occasion when the police approached kids drinking there, one of the children jumped in the dark green, murky water in an attempt to avoid the police altogether. On another occasion, Lt. Capece found two teens, clearly intoxicated, engaged in sexual activity on the dilapidated bridge.
When a child is found to be intoxicated, Lt. Capece said he or she will be driven home. Parents often don't believe the stories the officer has to tell, according to the lieutenant.
"Some parents find it difficult to accept that their children are engaging in this kind of behavior," said Lt. Capece. "And some know that they are but just don't know what to do about it. Parents should be aware of the condition of their children when they come home in the evening, they should look for signs that they've been consuming alcohol. Parents should then take appropriate action if they find them in that condition."
The results of the 1998 "Pride" Survey, a poll of over 1,000 seventh, ninth and eleventh graders, are telling when it comes to the accessibility of alcohol and drinking habits for Baldwin teens. Sixty percent of 11th graders interviewed said it is "very easy" to get beer, only 1% of said it was "very difficult."
I.D., please
The law says you have to be over 21 to purchase alcohol. So how are Baldwin's youth obtaining the product? The answer: deli's, gas stations, drive through convenience stores and more. The Metro gas on the corner Merrick and Milburn has sold teens a 12 pack for as much as $80, according to Lt. Capece. They along with the Quick Pick on Atlantic have been issued appearance tickets time and again for allegedly selling to minors, according to police.
Selling alcohol to a child less than 21 is a class A misdemeanor and can result in jail time and/or a fine. Assets may also be seized. Metro had approximately $1,500 seized by the forfeiture bureau.
Selling cigarettes to a child under 18 is considered unlawfully dealing with a child in the second degree, or a class B misdemeanor in which case the offender can spend no more than one year in jail and/or be fined.
Many owners have said that their counter people are from different countries and may not understand U.S. customs but Lt. Capece said there is no excuse for selling to minors. "It's not a cultural thing. When they get their liquor license the laws are explained and we have sent out notices to stores [about selling to minors] and they still break the law," he said.
Although the unit has been successful in cracking down on underage drinking, Lt. Capece said resources are limited to the program. Parents and their kids can work together to help stop the illegal sales of these two over the counter drug. It was phone calls from aware parents that busted Metro gas. Anyone who suspects a local store or has witnessed the sale of alcohol or tobacco to minors should call the 1st Precinct 573-6170. All calls are anonymous.
Where the kids are
Officer's from the first precinct provided the Herald with a list of the most popular hangouts for teenagers who might be experimenting with alcohol and cigarettes.
- Milburn boat basin
- Milburn Pond Park
- St. Lukes parking lot
- Behind the Baldwin Historical Museum
- Behind Pathmark on Grand
- At the shopping center next to the high school
- Brookside Preserve
- Barnes Avenue by the water
- Behind Senior Development off Atlantic and Grand
- Train tracks
- Milburn School
Serving the wrong crowd
The following businesses have been served tickets for selling alcohol or cigarettes to minors, according to first precinct officers.
- Baldwin Food and Beverage on North Grand
- Corner Market on Grand
- Express Food Mart on Grand
- Blimpie on Grand
- Mobil on Sunrise and Milburn
- Qwik Pick on Atlantic
- Milk Stop on Atlantic
- Getty on Atlantic
- Metro on Merrick and Milburn
- Corner Store on Seaman
- Petro King on Grand
- Amoco Gas on Merrick
