Atlas Twp. — Even a taste of alcohol can result in drastic penalties, thanks to local ordinances that prohibit persons under 21 from possessing or consuming alcohol.
Atlas Township recently approved ordinance No. 03-05, which prohibits purchasing, attempting to purchase, consuming, or attempting to consume alcoholic liquor.
According to the ordinance, first violations result in a fine up to $100, and the penalties become more severe for repeat offenders. Providing fraudulent identification to a minor can also result in fines and jail time.
“A minor can have nothing in their system,” said Detective Sgt. Gerald Parks of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Atlas precinct. “One sip is too many.”
Atlas Township deputies are vigilant about alcohol-related arrests, said Parks, who says his deputies will be “crashing a lot of parties” this year.
Parks’ advice?
“Don’t drink. I’ve got two boys who are going to be 18 and 20. I just tell ‘em don’t drink anything. If you get caught with anything in your system, from then on your life is changed.”
In addition to fines, ordered treatment or rehabilitation, self-paid screening, and community service, being caught with alcohol can result in a suspended license, whether or not the minor has been driving, said Parks.