Two separate juvenile drinking incidents drew Tamaqua Police to the borough’s east end last week, resulting in a flurry of citations issued.
While both incidents have been cleared, police urge the public to remain vigilant in discouraging and being on the lookout for underage drinking.
“The department reminds the public of the serious safety and legal concerns associated with underage drinking and vaping and encourages parents and guardians to remain aware of their children’s activities,” a press release from Tamaqua Police read.
The first incident occurred late at night on June 15, when police were dispatched to the Dutch Hill playground on Biddle Street around 11:14 p.m. after receiving reports of juveniles breaking bottles.
Upon arriving on the scene, police found two 13-year-olds, one 14-year-old, one 15-year-old and a 17-year-old gathered around a pickup truck. All were male. Police interviewed the boys and administered preliminary breath tests, which yielded positive readings for alcohol.
The four youngest boys were taken into custody and issued six non-traffic citations. Police said the 17-year-old showed no signs of impairment and was not charged.
Police obtained consent to search the pickup truck at the scene and found both alcohol and vaping devices inside the vehicle.
Less than a day later, Tamaqua police responded to a second juvenile drinking incident when they were dispatched to East End Park on Mountain Avenue around 7:53 p.m.
At the park, police found three kids — a 14-year-old female, a 15-year-old male and a 17-year-old male — openly drinking alcohol atop playground equipment. The kids admitted to alcohol consumption and took preliminary breath tests, which yielded positive readings for alcohol.
After transporting them to the police station, each was issued non-traffic citations for underage drinking and one was issued an additional citation for underage possession of tobacco products.
In both incidents, the juveniles were released to their guardians after processing.