Aug 4, 2009 8:00 am US/Eastern
Waltham To Hit Underage Drinkers In The Wallet
WALTHAM (WBZ) ―
Underage drinking is a chronic problem that costs Massachusetts nearly $1.5 billion in social and medical costs each year.
Criminal penalties haven't seemed to stem the tide of illegal alcohol use by those under 21.
But one city is starting to think outside the box, by, in effect, looking to decriminalize underage drinking.
As soon as September, buying booze in Waltham may no longer subject you to arrest and possible criminal sanction, if you're under 21.
But it will take a major bite out of your wallet.
"What we have in place now isn't working," said city councilor Tom Stanley.
Stanley and fellow city councilor Paul Brasco think they, along with local police and activists, have found a new way to stem the teen-boozing tide.
"It's basically putting a bounty on their head," said Brasco.
And they've looked a long way from Waltham City Hall for inspiration, 4,600 miles to be exact, all the way to Alaska.
Store clerks there get cash bonuses if they seize fake ID's.
Underage buyers in Waltham would get a $300 fine to start, escalating to $1,000 if they don't pay up promptly.
No one argued against the plan at Monday night's city council hearing, so the city seems to have the green light to wield a new weapon against underage drinking.
Criminal laws against underage drinking would remain on the books, but supporters of the so-called retailer incentive model say fines will be both a bigger deterrent and much more enforceable by that army of bonus-seeking clerks and bartenders.
What do you think?
Join the conversation in Jon Keller's blog.
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