60 Metro Teens Busted For M.I.P.
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The extended weekend for students in the metro brought some serious problems. In two separate metro busts more than 60 teens were cited for Minor in Possession of Alcohol.
At about 10:45 Monday night, Omaha police busted up an M.I.P. party. The 16-year-old Burke high junior, who lived at the house, said he had a few friends over to hang out while his parents were gone. He says there was no drinking involved until other Burke students started to show up.
"The people I didn't invite came over, they brought alcohol that I didn't know about and they handed it out to people that they brought, and stuff got out of control," the teen explained.
A total of 43 M.I.P. tickets were handed out. The 16-year-old was cited for Procuring Alcohol for a Minor, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, and Possession of Marijuana. Empty bottles still littered the street a day later.
On Saturday, the Sarpy County Sheriff's Office ticketed 18 minors with alcohol at a home in Papillion. Parents were also gone. The 17-year-old who lived at the home was cited for Contributing to the Delinquency of Minors.
Diane Riibe with Project Extra Mile says that community needs to figure out who these kids are getting the alcohol from, and realize teens are not prepared to be in that type of environment.
"In Nebraska people tend to think what's the big deal? And in reality in many states that kind of behavior isn't tolerated,” Riibe explained. "We have an increasing problem with binge drinking in this state of our young people underage and those young adults as well. It's a serious problem and we're going to pay a very dear price for it."
Project Extra Mile says of all alcohol that's sold in Nebraska 26% of it is consumed by people who are underage. That's more than 1 out of every 4 alcoholic drinks.
The teens could face punishment from their schools as well. Omaha Public Schools says students could get a suspension, have to do alcohol counseling, or not be able to participate in sports or other activities.
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