Police bust up teen party, remind parents of new laws

COLEBROOK — It was about 10:20 p.m. on Aug. 12. Connecticut State Trooper Justin Loftis was on patrol in Colebrook when, he said, he noticed a large gathering of teenagers at Gaylord Pond on Deer Hill Road. Loftis said he then he discovered the teens were drinking alcoholic beverages, and he called for backup.

Five more troopers responded, and began the routine work of identifying and having each teenager perform a field sobriety test before being allowed to leave. Six people were arrested.

Gabriel Harden, 18, of Pleasant Valley and Woodrow Hoffman, 18, of Colebrook were each charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. Three minors were charged with possession of alcohol by a minor.

Property owner Tara Thompson, of 60 Deer Hill Road, was charged with permitting minors to possess alcohol and failing to halt possession of alcohol by minors.

North Canaan Resident State Trooper Jim Promotico contacted The Journal to express his concern about this incident, which he said is only one of several that involves risky behavior on the part of young people that is abetted by adults.

With drinking parties, he said, the potential for problems escalates as word gets out, and that teenagers can come from miles away to participate.

Promotico referred to a similar situation that occurred in  Cornwall on May 10, at an after-prom party intended for students at Housatonic Valley Regional High School. Three teens ended up in the hospital with alcohol poisoning after that party. Police made sure the other hundred or so teens each had a safe ride home. Troopers and rescue workers spent the remainder of the night looking for teens who had run off into the woods.

In that incident, homeowner Ralph Dzenutis, who says he intended to host only a small party of his son’s friends, was charged with risk of injury to minors and permitting minors to illegally possess liquor on private property. The latter is  a relatively new statute known as the host liability law.

Dzenutis’ case is in the pre-trial phase. The most recent court date was set for Aug. 18.

“Homeowners and parents should take notice,� Promotico said. “There is a lot at stake here. They should be concerned foremost with the safety of their kids.�

But also, he warned, parents can be sued and suffer serious financial damage after hosting a party where underage drinking occurs.

Troopers on the scene in Colebrook on Aug. 12 included members of the Northwest Connecticut Coalition To Stop Underage Drinking. State Police and the coalition are working with the McCall Foundation in Torrington on prevention programs such as “party patrols� during times when teens are most likely to gather and drink. The coalition is headed by Kevin Petitt, McCall’s Prevention Program director. He regularly travels to area schools to talk to students about risky behavior.