As the Fourth of July approaches, McCall, Idaho, is preparing for an influx of visitors, many of whom are families looking to enjoy the holiday festivities. However, the McCall Police Department is urging parents to remain vigilant about underage drinking, a recurring issue during this time.
Community Concerns
McCall Police Chief Dallas Palmer has highlighted that underage drinking is a significant concern, particularly among the 15-to-19-year-old age group. According to Chief Palmer, the majority of alcohol-related incidents, including disorderly conduct and vandalism, involve visitors rather than local teens.
“Our 15-to-19-year-old crowd keeps us a lot busier,” Palmer stated. “The type of activity we’re seeing is a lot of alcohol-related activity, and from that we see a lot of the disorderly activity, the fights, the vandalism, the disturb-the-peace-related activity, the littering.”
Parental Responsibility
Chief Palmer emphasized the importance of parental supervision, noting that many incidents involve unsupervised teens. Officers often spend considerable time locating parents who may be far from McCall, which can divert resources from other emergencies.
Under Idaho law, a first offense for a minor in possession or consumption of alcohol is an infraction with a fine of nearly $500. Repeat offenses can lead to misdemeanor charges requiring a court appearance.
Preventative Measures
To mitigate these issues, McCall is partnering with Mav Event Services to provide private security at Legacy Beach and other lakefront parks during the holiday weekend. This initiative aims to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for all visitors.
Chief Palmer’s message to parents is clear: celebrate with your children, but ensure they are supervised. “Sometimes we’re spending hours trying to locate a responsible adult, get in touch with a parent that’s located down the Treasure Valley or elsewhere, or waiting on a parent to drive to McCall to come pick up their child,” Palmer explained.
A Young Visitor’s Perspective
Thirteen-year-old Joaquin de la Cruz, visiting McCall for his sister’s graduation, shared his thoughts on the importance of focusing on family and future goals rather than engaging in risky behaviors. “They live life once, they gotta have fun in some way. But as a kid like that, you’re still growing, and if you want to follow your dreams in something, I wouldn’t do that. Like, that’s not just a good thing to do,” he said.
De la Cruz plans to remember McCall for its beautiful lake, scenery, and holiday festivities, expressing a desire to return for future visits.
Original reporting: KTVB (Boise metro) — read the source article.
