OLD ORCHARD BEACH – Old Orchard Beach’s police chief wants to stop a local bar from holding alcohol- and drug-free events for teen-agers.
The Pier Patio Pub holds weekly chemical-free dances, but Chief Dana Kelley maintains a bar is not an appropriate place for teen-agers.
“A school or a hall is a much more conducive atmosphere for our kids, not a barroom where they can emulate the behavior of people who drink,” Kelley said.
He also wants the Town Council members to adopt regulations that would prevent alcohol-free events in bars or bar-type establishments.
Kelley’s crusade comes at a time when chemical-free nights are growing in popularity in the state, particularly in Portland, where several bars have started such evenings in recent weeks.
Sponsors of the events say they provide a safe alternative to the street, and offer entertainment instead of alcohol.
But Kelley said he’s afraid teen-agers partying in a bar, surrounded by signs advertising beer and alcohol, could encourage underage drinking.
Comments
comments for this post are closed