K_McGee_Position+Essay

Party Patrol in North Kingstown Rhode Island is a policy that has been in act as of early April of 2008. Party Patrol is a group of specialized police officers that patrol around NK after dark looking for parties and get togethers promoting underage drinking and other sorts of illegal substances. Though the Party Patrol Policy may seem like a good cause, it may be one that will never conquer success. As a part of the underage crowd that is most directly affected by this policy, I have found that it has been more detrimental to the teenage population than a way to prevent and stop illegal underage activities. The Party Patrol Policy is one that is funded mutually through a $15,000 grant from the Working Together for Wellness Task Force and by town taxes. It was initiated by NK's Substance Abuse Prevention Task Force, a group of involved North Kingstown citizens that are fighting to end underage/illegal activities. These citizens consist of parents, teachers, police officers, state officials, etc. The head coordinators of this Policy are those adults who are directly related or know someone who was lost or injured due to underage intoxication while driving. Party Patrol primarily affects minors who partake in parties that are associated with underage drinking/illegal substance use. This policy can also affect the parents of these minors as well. There are two main viewpoints on the Party Patrol Policy. Agree and disagree with the Policy and its aspects. On the supporting side of the, there are people who see the policy as a great way to reduce injuries and deaths caused by drinking and driving. In their eyes, Party Patrol acts as a parent figure that will watch over their children when parents themselves cannot do so. On the other hand, there are people who find the policy completely absurd and useless. They believe that Party Patrol will never reach a point of success and is a waste of tax payers money. My view on the Party Patrol Policy is that it is a policy that will never thrive with accomplishment. Personally, I feel as though this policy has increased the amounts of DUI's distributed in NK since the policy was passed. For example, when kids are at a party where drinking and illegal substances are being used, there is usually an appointed designated driver for each group of people attending the party. This prevents any teenagers to get behind the wheel of a vehicle while impaired. Now that the policy has been passed and Party Patrol Officers are always on the prowl, kids want to get out of the area of the party as soon as possible when they hear that the cops are going to show. Upon hearing this news, people frantically run about looking for the fastest way to get out of dodge. Sometimes they are so willing to prevent getting caught that they will risk their own lives and the lives of others by getting behind the wheel while intoxicated. This policy can even increase the number of deaths and injuries in driving while intoxicated situations. Though this policy is to a good cause, there is no way to completely eliminate underage drinking and partying. I have reviewed various accounts of people who are and aren't affected by the Party Patrol Policy and of people who support and do not support the policy. I have found many pros and cons with its goals and aspects but the cons seem to out weigh the pros. The key course of action that I propose to take is to voice my opinions of those affected by the policy including myself. I think that completely eliminating the policy is the best direction to follow right now. A policy like this one will only create more havok and all in all waste money.

__**BIBLIOGRAPHY:**__

Phyllis and Stephen McGee (Parents of NK Minors) Peter Aschaffenburg (Citizen of NK)
 * Personal Interviews**: Alexandra Bartholet, Elizabeth Kiernan (Minors of North Kingstown affected by Party Patrol)


 * Websites:** http://www.abc6.com/news/rhodeisland/19099434.html

http://newsblog.projo.com/archives/2008/05/host.html