SIP seeks to stop underage drinking before it starts

SIP, page 1

“I just did it because they are my friends,” Jones said. Since the consequences are steep, Jones said, “I’m probably not going to continue to do it.” Jones said that the reason why she provided minors with alcohol was because when she was a minor, she would have other people buy her alcohol. “I actually had mysister’s license for eight months before I turned 21 and Iused it to get into bars and no one ever questioned me,” Jones said.

Fake IDs are felonies under federal statutes initiated to c ombat terrorism and the felonies would have to be prosecuted by the feds, which ishighly improbable, Antoninisaid.

“Though Radnor PDwill always charge for Fake IDs, it will be most likely under summary or non-traffic penalties unless it is a second or more offense, which make it a misdemeanor, which includes fingerprinting, photographs and criminal record,” he said.

In addition to SIP, Radnor Township is also unveiling the Cops in Shops program. This program is a joint effort between the law enforcement and retailers to stop minors from purchasing alcohol. Local establishments will be trained in the proper procedures for checking identification and recognizing false or altered IDs. There will be plicated and controversial. These students are ready to use their passion and to let their voices be heard,” Laver said. signs warning minors that that particular establishment is participating in the program. Police officials in regular clothes will be stationed in stores at various times. If a minor is caught attempting to purchase alcohol, they will be cited on the spot.

Loquitur welcomes your comments on this story. Please send your comments to: Loquitur@yahoogroups.com.

Cameron Pitt, a 19-year-old sophomore elementary education major, does not have a fake ID. Pitt said, “I usually get my alcohol from either a friend of mine from school or a couple of friends who have their sibling’s IDs.”

Antonini is not worried that when underage drinkers are caught they might not tell who their source of alcohol is. They go on a case-by-case basis. “Obviously, people don’t like to tell on their friends, but I hope they realize it’s in their best interest,” he said.

Pitt said that her biggest thing isthat she would never give her sources up to authorities. “I would never rat them out because they go out of their way to do that and it’s not fair to them because they went out of their way to get alcohol for me,” Pitt said.

Antonini said that there is no additional charge for those who do not cooperate. He said, “Some people cooperate and some don’t; that’s their right. If you cooperate with the police, it usually goes better for you.”

Pitt said that even though she wishes that the drinking age was lower than it is, she thinks that it is at a good spot where it’s at.

Inorder for the legal age to drink to be lowered, Antonini thinks that there would have to be ashift in the attitude of society.

“Kids think it’s expected at college and parents don’t want to deal with it. Drunk driving was accepted 20 years ago, but now it’s not. Our society’s attitude needs to change. We hope to change that attitude,” he said.

Antonini said that Radnor PD just cited a Cabrini student for transporting and thus possessing two 30 packs of beer and four bottles of hard liquor. “She was heading up the mountains with several of her friends from Cabrini and not one of them was 21. I talked to her mom concerning the incident. My opinion was that the girl had known the consequences yet peer pressure overtook common sense and many years of DARE classes. I also think in this case, college students feel they need alcohol to have fun. It is considered a rite of passage, even by parents too,” he said. Pitt said she knows that she would provide alcohol for minors when she turns 21years-old.

“It’s not good, but I know I would be a provider because people did it for me, so I’m going to do it for them,” she said.

The names of the students have been changed to protect their identity and reputation.

Loquitur welcomes your comments on this story. Please send your comments to: Loquitur@yahoogroups.com . The editors will review your points each week and make corrections if warranted.