Nassau County's new 'social host' law (home, rent, high school)

[birdrgal]

From Newsday:

"The Nassau social host law, which County Executive Thomas Suozzi is expected to sign at a ceremony today, would make it a crime for adults to allow anyone under 21 to drink alcohol. The penalties range from a $250 fine for a first offense up to $1,000 and jail time for a third.

Parents may serve alcohol to their own children, or to underaged guests during religious observances, according to the measure."

I think this is an excellent law and wish that Suffolk County would put one into place also.

I've seen and heard of too many parties where underage drinking was not only allowed but encouraged by the adults at the "host" home.

Some might say "if the kids are too young to drive, or aren't going to drive, what's the harm?". I say, plenty, and good for Nassau for saying that adults should be held responsible for allowing anyone else's kids (meaning under the legal age) to drink while in their home.

Normally I'm against any law attempting to regulate behavior in a private citizen's home, but I'm all for this one.

Your thoughts?

[Dedalus]

How about this:

Since the Nassau County police can't seem to enforce the laws regarding blabbing on the phone while driving, ignoring pedestrians in the crosswalk, and not looking where they're going while they're driving, lets call out the National Guard. Have them bring plenty of handcuffs, Tasers, and billyclubs.

Arrest them. No ticket - jail. They wanna whine...WHAP, BANG. Have 'em cool their heels in a cell for a few days, perhaps it'll teach even these...characters some respect for human life.

Then, perhaps, we can cross the street without fearing being run over. And, then, perhaps, we can look at the terrible, awful, intolerable problem that some high school kid might have a few beers, under adult supervision.

The Long Island Mentality....

Are we still in the USA, here?