Police warning of risks of hosting and attending underage parties

The RNC is encouraging young people to socialize without alcohol and drugs. Unsupervised parties, including field parties, are unsafe for everyone. Parents and property owners are warned that they can be held liable in the event of injury and death.

Some of the issues that present safety risks include challenges for emergency responders to locate an incident, lack of fire safety controls, traffic or crowd controls, supervision, security, and food or drink controls.

Parents are encouraged to speak to their teenagers about the dangers of attending such events. Parents should know where their teens will be, have frequent check-in times, let your teen know they can call you for help, and establish a code word to signal help is needed.

Youth are reminded to never drive impaired or accept a ride from someone who has been drinking or using drugs. Stay with a buddy and have a cell phone with you at all times and ensure that it is charged. Make sure an adult knows where you are and how to reach you. If someone is in danger, call 911.

The RNC is encouraging anyone with information on suspected field parties or unsupervised underage events to report it to police.