Just caught neighbor's daughter drinking...

[Drew99GT]

Originally Posted By: yonyon
Originally Posted By: Panzerman
Being on a public road, not your driveway, makes it even less your business. Legally, he could have shot you.


Okay... so kid is illegally drinking in a car on a public road. Thermo says basically "stop breaking the law or I call the cops" and you think the kid would have been within his legal rights to murder Thermo?

And they vote! shakes head...

 

[Panzerman]

I find it so interesting that this topic is so divided. Interesting to see both points. Neither is right or wrong, just different views. I think age may pay a large factor into the way you sway. I am willing to venture the older you become the more you forget how you were once young and committed the same atrocities'. I recall channel surfing the other night and finding "American Graffiti". The young man was trying to find alcohol for the young lady in the film, with a car, I may add. Interesting by todays standard of drinking and driving this part of the story may have been banned. I guess we may also have different views and have a more tolerant view because we did the same things when we were young. While other groups were doing more positive things such as sports or appropriate activities, We were riding around drag racing, drinking and shooting road signs with shotguns. About every aspect of my youth involved girls, booze, guns and motor vehicles. You look back and realize, Wow, that was stupid and I think that's where we are, when we get older, we demonize things that we ourselves would have been doing. Of, course, we didn't have school shootings back then and we all had guns in our trucks(at school) and no one overdosed on heroine. I grew up in PA and when I go back, I don't even recognize it. Kids drinking is the least of my concerns, being the father of a 15 and 16 yo.

 

[Drew99GT]

I don't care of kids drink till they die from alcohol poisoning. That is their and their families business. Get behind the wheel and it's everyone's business.

 

[The_Eric]

Originally Posted By: Cristobal
I tend to agree. You cannot stop an alcoholic from drinking.


Originally Posted By: Donald
Some people need to hit bottom before they realize that alcohol screws up their lives. What you did was proper


What are you two talking about? That's quite an assumption...






Originally Posted By: KenO
Ya, I have to agree. Nothing wrong with kids drinking, and trying to stop them is going to push them to do it in more unsafe circumstances. But drinking and driving is one of the cardinal no-no's.



Originally Posted By: KenO

Thats a bit harsh. Did you never have an underage drink?? Do you recognize that demonizing kids is going to PUSH them into making worse decisions?? It's like teaching abstinence. It doesn't work because it's ridiculous to think kids are actually going to refrain from the most basic of human biological needs. Best you can do is help them make good decisions when they ARE going to do something, rather than give them a criminal record thats going to ruin many upcoming opportunities - possibly creating an even bigger problem for everybody in the long run.


I agree 100% Growing up my mom taught neither. Instead, she knew what a young man was going to want and offered safe refuge for it. Want a drink? No problem. You'll be staying right here though. Have a girlfriend? Too chicken to buy condoms? Let me know and I'll get them. There's no way a parent is going to stop the urges of their children so it's wise to keep it structured to their benefit.





As for the kid's in the car, I think the OP took the wrong approach. Instead of coming out guns blazing and making threats, I would have told them I understand, but to to keep the car where it sets in a polite way. If I found them gone, I'd call the cops and give them the plate. If the driver was drinking and caught, then he'll pay the price. If not, then it would be a few minutes of inconvenience then he'd be on his way.

 

[shDK]

Is it really illegal to drink in public streets ?

 

[Pablo]

Originally Posted By: shDK
Is it really illegal to drink in public streets ?


In a car? YES.

 

[shDK]

Okay.. Also if you are a passenger ?

 

[The_Eric]

Originally Posted By: shDK
Okay.. Also if you are a passenger ?


I believe then, you could get an "Open Container" ticket.

 

[whip]

Originally Posted By: shDK
Is it really illegal to drink in public streets ?

With a few exceptions, yes.

 

[tom slick]

If you really wanted to keep them off the streets you'd have encouraged them to get a ride either by yourself, a friend of theirs, or by calling a cab. Sometimes all they need is a nudge to remind them that driving might not be a good idea. I get the impression that you felt angry at their behavior and felt the need to get them in trouble rather than help them. Your behavior insured that person was going to drive off.

 

[Trav]

I have no opinion if it was right or wrong but I do find it more than a bit weird to hear someone is creeping around up the back of a car with a camera taking pictures.

Your lucky you didn't get popped, some guys don't go for those kind of shenanigans and could easily get PO'd thinking your some sort of a perv looking for a cheap shot.
IMHO going directly up to the window and saying something or just calling the cops would be preferable.

 

[javacontour]

It could be that folks who made such choices in the past have learned more responsible behaviors. Just because you do something in the past doesn't mean it is right.

It also may be they lost a loved one due to drunken behavior. My grandfather was killed by a drunk driver. Who wants to tell me that I should feel different about DUI?

Originally Posted By: Panzerman
I find it so interesting that this topic is so divided. Interesting to see both points. Neither is right or wrong, just different views. I think age may pay a large factor into the way you sway. I am willing to venture the older you become the more you forget how you were once young and committed the same atrocities'. I recall channel surfing the other night and finding "American Graffiti". The young man was trying to find alcohol for the young lady in the film, with a car, I may add. Interesting by todays standard of drinking and driving this part of the story may have been banned. I guess we may also have different views and have a more tolerant view because we did the same things when we were young. While other groups were doing more positive things such as sports or appropriate activities, We were riding around drag racing, drinking and shooting road signs with shotguns. About every aspect of my youth involved girls, booze, guns and motor vehicles. You look back and realize, Wow, that was stupid and I think that's where we are, when we get older, we demonize things that we ourselves would have been doing. Of, course, we didn't have school shootings back then and we all had guns in our trucks(at school) and no one overdosed on heroine. I grew up in PA and when I go back, I don't even recognize it. Kids drinking is the least of my concerns, being the father of a 15 and 16 yo.

 

[Reg# 43897]

"Legally, he could have shot you."

Um..., NO.

So, let me understand this... Some people are outside your home, parked upon a public road in a motor vehicle drinking liquor. Assume that they are drinking to the point of legal ramfications (most jurisdictions temporarily suspend licences at 50 mgs/% blood alcohol concentration; charge criminally at 80 mgs/% B.A.C.) & that they are capable of placing the vehicle into motion. That inherint risk to public safety is exactly why such behaviour is criminalised in many parts of the world. As it SHOULD be. The offense is 'having the care & control of a motor vehicle while the ability to operate it is impaired by alcohol.'

The OP did what he could - right away - to keep the public peace. You want to try to rationalise your desire to do nothing or remain uninvolved, fine. You are like a lot of western society these days; it's not my problem or it's somebody else's job. That has always been the preserve of the coward or the morally ambivalent. But DO NOT attempt to imply bad faith where none exists. The man stated his intent for action; it was done in good faith. Whether or not you feel he SHOULD get involved stands seperate & distinct from that. You may wish to think otherwise, but our social contract requires us to do that which we can to preserve public order. DO SOMETHING.

You may criticise his chosen course of action (& I get that - it's not for everyone & it carries an undeniable component of risk) but to blame him for doing anything & falling back onto civil libertarianism is to miss the point entirely. AND it gives my preferred social position a bad name! Hah!

I like to keep out of people's business & I expect people to keep their noses out of mine. UNLESS my business can be shown to demonstrate a risk to somebody else. At that point it crosses a line & we entrust the State to regulate it. I was raised to understand that 'the State' is all of us, even me. These kids were a menace to the neighbourhood & the OP did something about it. Bravo & thank you.

John.

 

[antiqueshell]

If the OP knows that she has been involved with injuries due to DUI then he did the right thing. Only thing I would have done differently is I would NOT have confronted them, I would have simply called the police and let them handle the issue. Now you have to be concerned about retaliation from her or her "friends" .

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: Reg# 43897
You want to try to rationalise your desire to do nothing or remain uninvolved, fine. You are like a lot of western society these days; it's not my problem or it's somebody else's job. That has always been the preserve of the coward or the morally ambivalent. But DO NOT attempt to imply bad faith where none exists.

Nicely put.

 

[Thermo1223]

I should have expected such a strong response.

The police took a report over the phone, a squad car never came to the house.

I wasn't angry at all just annoyed that of all times of the year.

I don't understand people anymore really. I could care less if they both drink themselves into oblivion inside her own house. They don't need to get into a car with the potential of killing someone else to do it.

She or the BF can confront me all they want I don't care either. If me being the #$#hole neighbor reminded them both to stop chugging before driving away I did my job.

I haven't lost anyone personally yet to DUI's but it is a problem in my extended family. Many fathers gave up alcohol cold turkey because of what it was doing to them. They will still have beer out at parties but won't touch it which is impressive.

I did my share of things when young. Underage drinking was one of them but I can't sit idly by now as a parent and let someone be so brazen as to drinking openly like that in a running car.

 

[surfstar]

Think back (this may be a while ago for some of you guys) to when you were a teen or young adult. What happened back in those days?


Typical BITOG thread responses. I wonder how many that would want this reported to the police are the same ones who cry foul over DUI checkpoints?

You were all angels, right? Do as I say and not as I do. Etc, etc.


OP: I believe you handled it more appropriately than most here would have.

 

[Thermo1223]

I was a little peeved at response I got from the local PD but in retrospect I am sure their were actual DUI checkpoints out last night. I love the fact that people still think they can judge their own limit. If I am drinking a beer I really like I can most certainly tell you I CAN'T! My want to enjoy it's taste outweighs all other things in my mind. Kinda like certain foods, you know you shouldn't eat it but the mind knows you want it.

I am not going to tell her parents either, not my job. I just rather see her alive than consoling her mother on the day of the funeral.

 

[jcwit]

Originally Posted By: surfstar
Think back (this may be a while ago for some of you guys) to when you were a teen or young adult. What happened back in those days?


Typical BITOG thread responses. I wonder how many that would want this reported to the police are the same ones who cry foul over DUI checkpoints?

You were all angels, right? Do as I say and not as I do. Etc, etc.


OP: I believe you handled it more appropriately than most here would have.


So just because we did it when we were young makes it OK to continue the practice?

YUP, that makes a lot of sense.

 

[Reg# 43897]

Originally Posted By: Thermo1223
I was a little peeved at response I got from the local PD but in retrospect I am sure their were actual DUI checkpoints out last night. I love the fact that people still think they can judge their own limit. If I am drinking a beer I really like I can most certainly tell you I CAN'T! My want to enjoy it's taste outweighs all other things in my mind. Kinda like certain foods, you know you shouldn't eat it but the mind knows you want it.

I am not going to tell her parents either, not my job. I just rather see her alive than consoling her mother on the day of the funeral.



I was gonna mention that aspect of the situation. Taking direct action to curtail a criminal act is preety much gonna beat ANY response time by Police. And that's IF they actually attend. You call something like that in on a weekend evening in a modest-sized North American town, you may not get a patrol. They may simply pass it on as a BOLO (be onn the look-out) to patrol units. In a large, unincorporated area, the driving times for the handful of cops working that night would pretty-much guarantee that the driver would have time to drink what he wanted & drive off prior to attendance.

While stating again that each citizen's intervention options will be different per given event, immediate action of some sort usually outweighs police response times. Seriously, is there EVER a cop around the coner? Not bleedin' often...

Peace of the Season to all of you! Do NOT drive drunk.

John.