Ramona deputies step up underage drinking patrols

By Barbara Wallace

With Ramona high school graduations this week, the last article anyone wants to read is about graduates being severely injured or killed as a result of alcohol-related incidents.

Crime Prev.WEBFor that reason, the Ramona Sheriff’s Substation has been doubling its enforcement level to focus on the Social Host Ordinance, underage drinking and minors in possession of alcohol during the two weeks surrounding high school graduations.

Anyone — adults or minors — hosting an event allowing youth under the age of 21 to consume alcohol can be arrested for violating the San Diego County Social Host Ordinance. No alcohol should be provided to anyone under the age of 21 — that’s the law.

Homeowners are responsible for all activities occurring on their property and can be liable for damages, deaths or injuries that occur as a result of anyone consuming alcohol at their home.

Deputies will be focused on identifying anyone under the age of 21 who appears to be consuming and/or possessing alcohol in our community.

There will be double staffing of patrol deputies throughout the two weeks surrounding Ramona’s graduation “season.”

Deputies will be conducting specialized enforcement details in an effort to protect our graduates.

Citizens are also encouraged to report underage drinking and parties by calling 760-789-1200. It’s a positive way to keep the community safe. No one would want to experience the guilty feeling of not calling and finding out later that a young person had been injured after leaving the party — and that they could have prevented it by making a simple call.

Watch for the deputies out on patrol throughout Ramona during this graduation season. They are looking out for the well-being of everyone in our community.

Let’s help our graduates celebrate in a safe and healthy way — avoiding the consumption of alcohol and the legal consequences that occur if they make the wrong choice.

For questions about the Social Host Ordinance, call Sheriff’s Crime Prevention Specialist Barbara Wallace at 760-738-2425.