Crime & Safety
Starting Point Invites Underage Party Alerts 24/7
Program meant to help put a stop to underage drinking parties will now staff phone lines 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Ozaukee County residents have long been able to alert Starting Point of Ozaukee about possible underage drinking parties in the area — 15 years, to be specific — but the program recently increased its reach by opening its phoneline 24/7, according to Jessi Gaedtke, office assistant for Starting Point.
"If you can dial a phone, you can help put a stop to underage drinking," a press release from the group said. The number to dial is 262-375-1110, and all calls made to Starting Point are kept anonymous.
After a call is placed, a Starting Point of Ozaukee staff member will contact the homeowner, the party host and/or the appropriate authorities in hopes of preventing the party from going on, the release said. If a known party is already in progress, Starting Point recommends calling local authorities so that officials can arrive on scene as soon as possible.
"Parents, teachers, neighbors and young people often hear about parties
that have been planned or are aware of parties underway, but are afraid or
embarrassed to contact authorities openly," the press release said. "This hotline offers concerned individuals the opportunity to share information with authorities, which not only helps them to enforce the law, but may help them to save a life."
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The new 24-hour approach makes Starting Point a more accessible resource, Gaedtke said.
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