Parties at Magnuson

I've heard through the grapevine that large underage drinking parties are alive and well at Magnuson Park.

The Parks Department recently reported a large party by Kite Hill on Friday, March 6. Since Parks Department personnel do not have the authority to "exclude" anyone from parks, nothing was done.

On Friday the 13th, another large party took place near Kite Hill. This time, a person was assaulted, their car windows smashed and tires slashed.

Underage drinking is a problem in our community and parties at Magnuson Park are well-known. As a community, we need to come together to stop these parties. Even if teenagers aren't driving, it is not unheard of for youth to seriously injure themselves and others, vandalize, and sexually assault others while they are under the influence. We can sit around pointing fingers at one another saying that it's the other person's responsibility to do something but, really, we all have a role to play in reducing underage drinking and these increasingly dangerous parties in our parks.

Find out more and attend the upcoming Prevention WINS general coalition meeting Monday, March 23, 8:00 a.m. at Nathan Hale High School.

Parents can find out more about how they can keep track of their teens, so that they know their children aren't among those partying at Magnuson, by attending the parenting forum at Eckstein Middle School on March 23 at 7:00 p.m.