Hi Mom! You're Busted!!
Social Host Law Claims First Victim On Long Island
Woman Arrested For Allowing Underage Son To Drink At Her Party
(CBS/AP) WEST HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. A woman accused of allowing her 18-year-old son to drink at her birthday party is the first person to be arrested by the county police under a new law.
Karen Dittmer was arrested under the Social Host Law, which was enacted July 17, Nassau County police said Monday.
Dittmer, 45, is accused of allowing her teenage son and several other underage guests to drink beer Sunday evening at a party for her birthday held in the backyard of her West Hempstead home.
She called her arrest "ridiculous."
"I would never ever serve alcohol to a minor," she said. "I have three children of my own. I would never ever do that."
The new law, which was passed unanimously by the county Legislature, allows for homeowners or renters over the age of 17 to be held criminally responsible if minors drink in their homes.
First and second offenses will earn culprits fines of $250 or $500. On a third strike, offenders can face up to a year in prison and a $1,000 fine.
The law makes exceptions for alcohol consumed for religious ceremonies.
Similar measures were already in place in the local communities of Long Beach, Glen Cove and Amityville and around the nation in Virginia, Nebraska and parts of California.
Woman Arrested For Allowing Underage Son To Drink At Her Party
(CBS/AP) WEST HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. A woman accused of allowing her 18-year-old son to drink at her birthday party is the first person to be arrested by the county police under a new law.
Karen Dittmer was arrested under the Social Host Law, which was enacted July 17, Nassau County police said Monday.
Dittmer, 45, is accused of allowing her teenage son and several other underage guests to drink beer Sunday evening at a party for her birthday held in the backyard of her West Hempstead home.
She called her arrest "ridiculous."
"I would never ever serve alcohol to a minor," she said. "I have three children of my own. I would never ever do that."
The new law, which was passed unanimously by the county Legislature, allows for homeowners or renters over the age of 17 to be held criminally responsible if minors drink in their homes.
First and second offenses will earn culprits fines of $250 or $500. On a third strike, offenders can face up to a year in prison and a $1,000 fine.
The law makes exceptions for alcohol consumed for religious ceremonies.
Similar measures were already in place in the local communities of Long Beach, Glen Cove and Amityville and around the nation in Virginia, Nebraska and parts of California.
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SIC!!! At 18 U can DIE for your country and vote, but U can't have a beer off of mom's KEGGER!!???[xx(]
THATS PURE BULL SHUT!!!
Jeff0 -
Ba$turds... 0 -
I can hand my son a drink and he can drink it, as long as I am present, but that is Texas.
I bought Travis a beer in the hotel bar before he shipped out for basic, and I have bought him a few since then.
It's a parent's own business how they raise their children. Where this lady messed up, in my opinion, was providing alcohol for her son's friends.0 -
I guess she will no longer be referred to as the "Cool parent". 0 -
I don't appreciate parents that let kids drink.....at a certain age where they are nearly adults and old enough to hold full time jobs and be responsible for themselves is one thing. I have heard from my oldest that there are parents that let kids drink at their homes....these kids are FIFTEEN and have no business drinking. I don't know if it is true, but she has been told NOT to go there anyway. 0 -
so the governmnet nitwits obviously think its better that the kid has his/her 1st, 2nd, 3rd, ... drink at a frat party in college rather than in a safe, controlled environment [xx(] 0 -
Who is pushing for these laws? Anybody other than MADD, which long ago became a hysterical, unreasonable organization?
Around here, we have billboards highlighting the new laws and penalties for underage drinking. Those under 21 can lose their drivers licenses if caught drinking, even if they weren't driving. And parents can be arrested if kids sneak a drink at their house. Even the term "kids" is incorrect, as the law applies to adults age 18-20.
I'm pissed that my tax money is being used for these anti-drinking, clickit-or-ticket, aggressive driving and other nanny-state advertising campaigns.0 -
On the other side of the coin... many 40 year old men can't handle booze, why would we think an 18 year old would be any better at it.
Despite it's social exceptance, at the end of the day the truth is that it is a dangerous drug.0 -
quote:Originally posted by nunn
I can hand my son a drink and he can drink it, as long as I am present, but that is Texas.
I bought Travis a beer in the hotel bar before he shipped out for basic, and I have bought him a few since then.
It's a parent's own business how they raise their children. Where this lady messed up, in my opinion, was providing alcohol for her son's friends.
That's the same in Florida and in Colorado. You, as a minor, can be served wine at a restaurant with dinner so long as there is a parent present.0 -
If I want to have a beer with my teenager in the privacy of my home it's no one else's business, simple as that.
That being said, giving their under-age friends alcohol without their parents being present was a bad move on this woman's part. I'll admit that if mine went to a party at a friend's house and was allowed to consume without my prior knowledge I'd be ticked.
Nunn-I've got no problem with what you did with Travis, but I'm surprised a licensed establishment allowed an underage to consume on their premises, parent present or not.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Locust Fork
I don't appreciate parents that let kids drink...
Some laws are assinine.
Beer is food.0 -
I think that I would sooner teach my child the dangers of alcohol use. Of course some will say that it doesn't cause deaths, injuries, and all kinds of problems.
After all, how could anything that is addictive and impares judgement harm you?0 -
State of Georgia allows it only in your residence and only your kids. I dont agree with giving other kids alcohol. 0 -
Was raised in bars>
Was even picking up the daily whiskey,beer,Malt Chalk & Shine orders at 13, for GrandPa's dive bars.
Learnt early I cant take the hangovers, I liked the booze too much.
Then stopped drinking around 30 yrs ago.
If you want to give your kid "a beer", and your present, and the kid anitn going nowhere.
That should be fine & dandy.
BUT!! - Giving beer to kids under 18 and they are not yours!!!
Your in trouble!!!!
I have had my say.
Walte0 -
I started drinking at twelve... Ain't changed me a freaking bit...I was an idiot at twelve too!! 0 -
quote:Originally posted by IAMACLONE_2
BUT!! - Giving beer to kids under 18 and they are not yours!!!
Your in trouble!!!!
Perhaps not speaking for others, I think this gets to the heart of the matter. Kids under 18 are minors, and if they are not yours, they "belong" to other parents. You absolutely should not provide alcohol to them. The quoted article was about an 18 year old.
"Kids" 18 to 20 are no longer minors. They are adults who should presumably be able to make their own decisions. Yet, if they drink alcohol somewhere, a property owner/parent/friend can be in big trouble. It's just asinine that the drinking age is not 18, and even more asinine that parents can get in legal trouble when an 18-20 year old visitor drinks an alcoholic beverage.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Txs
If I want to have a beer with my teenager in the privacy of my home it's no one else's business, simple as that.
That being said, giving their under-age friends alcohol without their parents being present was a bad move on this woman's part. I'll admit that if mine went to a party at a friend's house and was allowed to consume without my prior knowledge I'd be ticked.
Nunn-I've got no problem with what you did with Travis, but I'm surprised a licensed establishment allowed an underage to consume on their premises, parent present or not.
I AGREEWITH YOU 100%0 -
What a Dick!!!!!!!!!!! 0
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