During the past four weeks, while the Press was on vacation, Harvard Police broke up multiple underage drinking parties, investigated several reports of dangerous vandalism in the center of town (arresting four teenagers and suspecting many more), and, worst of all, responded to the scene of a car accident on Poor Farm Road that left three young people with serious injuries. Police suspect that accident was the result of drunk driving.
This week, Harvard Police officers asked the Press to pass on a message to its readers: Do you know where your children are? It’s an old question, but one worth asking in light of recent events. These aren’t simply cases of teenage summer mischief. Irresponsible behavior, especially involving alcohol or drugs, can put everyone in the community at risk.
When your teen is going out, police say, ask where he or she is going. Communicate with your teen’s friends’ parents—by phone, email, Facebook—and be aware when they’re out of town.
And, police say, if you plan on going on vacation and leaving your teen behind, understand that, just because you’re not home, it doesn’t mean you’re off the hook legally for what goes on in your house.
At the Harvard Press, we understand the Police Log is one of the most-read sections of our paper, but we much prefer writing about horses on the loose than drunk driving accidents. We’re hoping when we return from vacation next summer, there will be a lot less to report on the back page.
