Why should facts get in the way?
Vodpod videos no longer available.
You can hear the confusion in his voice when 20-year-old Jesse Poznanski tells the news cameras about the flash mob that overwhelmed the Rhode Island motel he manages. “All of a sudden there were cars and cars and cars and cars, and they just kept coming in,” he says, still shaking his head with disbelief.
Poznanski says he didn’t invite them, he didn’t welcome them and he didn’t provide any alcohol to the crowd of underage teens from Connecticut. It’s irrelevant to the Social Host Law as written. He points to his tattoo, inked in memory of a friend who died last year in a drunk driving accident as proof of his commitment to keep others from repeating his friend’s mistake. It’s irrelevant to the law as written. He didn’t know most of the teens who showed up, especially the dozen 15 to 17-year-olds from Connecticut. It’s irrelevant to the law as written.
What is deemed relevant? Poznanski lives at the motel and manages it. Kids were found partying in the motel’s lot. That’s all you need to get charged under Rhode Island’s Social Host Law. What is relevant to the local newspapers and cable news stations? Poznanski’s political connections, namely his town council president step-dad and his mom, who was the Republican party’s first choice for the state’s Lieutenant Governor race last year.
Is the arrest of a solitary motel manager — who is also underage — truly the aim of Rhode Island’s Social Host Law?
To learn more:
Underage drinking pinches political family. NBC 10 WJAR – April 28, 2011 – Byline: Parker Gavigan
Foster police arrest 25 at underage drinking party. Providence Journal, www.projo.com – April 26, 2011 – Byline: Thomas J. Morgan
Rhode Island’s Social Host Law
Share this:
Latest News
- An error has occurred; the feed is probably down. Try again later.
Video News
- Video: Woman arrested following weekend party June 26, 2017Party has underage drinking
- Video: Hands On Training for Dealing with Underage Drinking Parties June 21, 2017Hands On Training for Dealing with Underage Drinking Parties
- Video: Former Illini basketball signee arrested at Mizzou June 20, 2017WCIA -- Former Illinois basketball signee Jeremiah Tilmon was arrested Friday night for possession of alcohol by a minor, according to University of Missouri police. The East St. Louis native and five-star recruit was pulled over for a routine traffic stop when officers smelled alcohol. The 18-year old passed a field sobriety test but was taken into custody […]
- Video: Country Jam: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly June 15, 2017GRAND JUNCTION, Colo: Lauren Klenda is joined by Megan Terlecky with the Mesa County Sheriff's Office with a big issue that is seen every year at Country Jam, underage drinking and adults buying alcohol for minors. Terlecky gives ways you can make the most of your Country Jam while abiding by the law (and avoiding some fines!). Want the latest on Countr […]
Recent Comments