Editor,
I am writing in response to the article in Wednesday's Daily Lobo, "Panel seeks to curb underage drinkers."
When it comes to underage drinking, most of us don't have a problem with the cops busting in and breaking up a rowdy, keg-guzzling binge-fest. But when 20- and 21-year-olds are celebrating a nice birthday party, posing no threat, Party Patrol needs to stay out.
If we have no intentions of driving, then the only thing we should have to worry about is tomorrow's hangover, not about whether the cops have just violated our civil rights. It is hard being 21. Not only are you legal to drink, but the majority of your friends are still 20.
My birthday party was a nice, small party where everyone was dressed up and enjoying a drink or two. I feel we were being responsible and, yes, I will admit there were underage drinkers present, but certainly no 12-year-olds.
Officer Harold Medina, who works with the Party Patrol, claims, "If we ever want to combat DWI, we need to stop 12-year-olds from drinking."
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I have never been to a party where there were 12-year-olds. The Party Patrol not only ruined my 21st birthday, but they are trespassing on some of our basic civil rights. The police officers entered without a warrant, without consent, and without any of the other circumstances that would allow them to enter. This is a violation of the Fourth Amendment, which prohibits the government from performing unreasonable searches and seizures. The Party Patrol's Web site defines "exigent circumstances" as "those emergency situations where someone's life may be in jeopardy," and uses the example of officers being able to see someone inside a home that is "injured and unresponsive." In this case, officers would then be allowed to enter the home to help the person in distress.
The officers never checked to see if guests were sober enough to drive, and instead just sent them on their way.
Also, the article did not mention the many lawsuits against the Party Patrol. There are instances where 30-year-olds are throwing parties and being thrown in handcuffs.
The Party Patrol is not the cure for stopping underage drinking - it is stripping citizens of their basic civil rights.
Lucia Fronterotta
UNM student
