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Alcohol control at Winter Show concert is needed |
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Wednesday, 26 March 2008 |
Kasey Skalicky
Valley City, N.D.
I would like to thank Nichole Mosolf for the letter that she wrote on March 17 which brought to light the concerns and frustrations she experienced during this year’s Winter Show concert.
Although her letter is one person’s account of the evening, I’m certain she was not the only person in attendance that witnessed alcohol-induced behaviors and underage drinking. I am certain she’s not the only person who left with a feeling of disgust.
She presented herself as a concerned parent/citizen who wanted an issue in our community to be addressed, and I thank her for bringing it to our attention. She made a great point that there is a need to control the availability of alcohol during these types of events and even gave suggestions on how to do so.
Perhaps Mr. Cunningham had a good point when he stated not all entertainment is meant to be enjoyed by kids. Maybe next year the Winter Show Board and the City Commission, who approves the sale of alcohol at this event, could make some changes - make the concert for 21 and older. If alcohol is being sold at this event, then the target audience must be 21 and over. We could do the easiest thing - blame law enforcement and be done. But we, as members of this community, need to take some responsibility for the environment we are creating:
The Winter Show Board chose to serve the alcohol. The City Commission chose to allow the alcohol to be served. And it sounds like many adults in attendance chose to overindulge and engage in undesirable behaviors, some chose to provide alcohol to minors.
Ryan Cunningham commented on Valley City having a reputation for “sporting law enforcement that lurks for drivers to pull over at night” - I certainly hope that they are on the streets all night, every night -- and I certainly hope they are aggressive in seeking out crime -- including impaired drivers. This is an important part of their job. Every year impaired drivers kill approximately 16,000 people on our roads. Impaired driving is a crime -- not an accident -- and it KILLS people. Through years of research, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has found that “high-visibility enforcement” is proven effective in preventing traffic-related injuries and deaths simply by keeping people from getting behind the wheel when they’re impaired.
If we know and see that law enforcement is right outside the door, we are more likely to find other means of transportation and not take the risk of driving drunk.
So my hat goes off to the law enforcement that are out there every night! Thank you for being dedicated and professional in your job and making the roads safe for my family, friends and neighbors to drive on! Keep up the good work. Thank you to the law enforcement and citizens that take a firm stance and have zero tolerance for underage drinking.
Editor’s note: Skalicky is Safe Communities Coordinator.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 23 May 2008 )
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