Underage Drinking Discussion: It's About Safety, Not Legality

A community of parents, educators, officials and law enforcement personnel gathered at this past fall with the challenging task of reducing teen drinking in Ridgewood.

“, along with marijuana and other drugs,” former high school principal Jack Lorenz said in October. 

Attendees concluded the greatest danger was the prevalence of binge drinking, which can lead to serious injuries or even death.

Members of the Ridgewood Village Council on Wednesday gathered to review a proposed amendment to the village's underage drinking ordinance, one that would provide amnesty from prosecution to individuals who call 911 should a serious medical or safety hazard arises.

"All of us want Ridgewood teens to be safe. We all hope they make smart choices," said Laurie Goodman, a former school board member and current member of the Ridgewood Municipal Alliance Committee. "But when they make a mistake, and it turns dangerous, this law can help ensure that mistake doesn’t turn into a tragedy."

Mayor Keith Killion, a former police officer, remembered instances in which drunken teens would be dropped off at right-of-ways, presumably out of the fear they'd face prosecution if they checked friends into the hospital or called 911.

The amendment proposed to the council by the Ridgewood Municipal Alliance is essentially lifted from the existing state law.

"What the state is trying to accomplish here is that a life is worth more than who's going to get in trouble," Killion said.

"It's not a get-out-of-jail-free card," commented Laurie Goodman.

Members of the council had some questions relating to possible legal implications.

Village Attorney Matt Rogers clarified that other offenses are not included in the amendment, so if youth had a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) or an assault occurred, they would not be immune from prosecution.

A total of three persons are exempt from the scene, Rogers said.

The real task, according to Councilman Steve Wellinghorst, is how to get the message to the students. Typical avenues of local media, websites, press releases and asking parents to talk with their kids may not be enough, he said.

Sheila Brogan, chair of the Municipal Alliance Committee, said they'll try to work with the schools to better get the message directly to students, adding that the middle school and high school principals are supportive of the amendment. 

"I hope teens will hear about this amendment, will talk about the law with each other, will know that it’s for real, and will remember it should they be faced with a dangerous situation – a friend that needs help – on any Friday or Saturday night in Ridgewood," she said.

Ridgewood Police Chief John Ward, in attendance, said he would inform his officers of a pending change, which seems likely to pass at the council's next public meeting.

"Our first concern is the safety of the children," Ward said.