It had been almost eight months since a party that involved underage drinking was broken up in Perry, but the streak came to an end New Year’s Eve when eleven adults and four minors were arrested for underage consumption.
It happened in the 1200 block of 2nd Street Tuesday evening when a citizen called the Perry Police Department to report the party.
Police Chief Dan Brickner says though he’s not sure of the exact motive behind this particular call, he believes that knowledge of the Crime Stopper’s offering rewards for information on these types of parties is likely the basis for why anyone would report such an incident.
The local organization offers up to $500 for such tips that are verified by law enforcement.
“The intent of Crime Stoppers is to produce exactly this type of information” says Brickner.
The Perry Police Department is part of the Dallas County Juvenile Alcohol Action Group which funds overtime so that multiple officers can respond to such a party to assist in keeping things safe while processing individuals on charges and collecting evidence in a timely fashion.
Brickner says this type of enforcement action helps save lives and prevent injuries. He says it’s their hope that these young people will take this as a learning experience that will ave them from future and more serious problems.
He says the organization believes that they prevent problems and possible tragedies from happening and most often under age people don’t have these types of parties because of the rewards offered and awareness about them in the community.
Chuck Painter with the Perry Crime Stoppers adds that “even though some may not like what happened or who got in trouble, we are having a much better discussion than what we could have as to losing one of our young citizens because of drunken driving, as happened, many years ago.” He says it’s great to see something working like they want it to.