CAPE ELIZABETH – The Cumberland County Underage Drinking Enforcement Task Force, a first-time initiative involving 20 officers from police departments all over Cumberland County, was on the lookout for prom after parties this weekend. Two parties, including one in Cape Elizabeth, were located and charges were filed. Neither of the parties was prom-related, police said.
In Cape Elizabeth, officers from the detail responded to 19 Scott Dyer Road for a report of an underage drinking party and arrested resident Joseph Long, 20, for obstructing government administration, furnishing liquor to a minor and falsifying physical evidence. In addition to the arrest, nine minors were cited for possession of alcohol by a minor.
In Falmouth, officers located a party at 15 Marston St. and summonsed Russell Moulton, 21, for furnishing liquor to a minor. In addition, four minors were cited for possession of alcohol by a minor.
The task force detail stretched from Bridgton and Naples, where Lake Region High School had their prom, to Cape Elizabeth where Cape students enjoyed their prom. Officers from the Maine State Police, Westbrook, Falmouth, South Portland, Scarborough, Cumberland, Cape Elizabeth and Brunswick were involved.
Additionally, police said, officers around the county working the detail had numerous contacts with teens as they patrolled rural and urban areas. According to Capt. Tom Roth of Westbrook, who chairs the task force, “Our inaugural event was truly a success, we thwarted two parties where minors were supplied alcohol, checked in on all the area proms and patrolled much of the county.”
Roth believes that despite the prom night reputation for one of having alcohol involved, minors are learning from past events.
“We have all seen the tragic news stories showing fatal accidents on prom night and hopefully these events are shaping how our youth make decisions.”
These details will continue through 2014 and will include more countywide patrols, as well as targeted patrols.
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