Dodge County authorities had their hands full with underage substance abuse overnight.
The Dodge County Sheriff's Office and Beaver Dam Police Department responded to three complaints of house parties both in and outside the Beaver Dam city limits early Sunday morning.
“These kids need to realize, have a good time and go party, but you don’t need drugs and alcohol to have a good time," Beaver Dam Police Lt. Brandon Stommel said.
Deputies made a traffic stop near one of the residences suspected of hosting a party, and found the driver did not have a license and that the underage passenger had been drinking.
“I know one yesterday they had to make contact with the parents who were not home who gave the officers permission to go in the house," Stommel said. “We need to know what our kids are up to. Our 16, 17, 18 year old [teens] are young adults. They’re growing into young adults.”
Once inside the home, officers found and took pictures of a list of party protocol and drug paraphernalia. The Dodge County Sheriff's Office then shared the content on Facebook, urging parents to speak with their children.
“As a parent, know where your children are. At least two of the house parties were called in at 12:30 and just before 3 am," Stommel said.
A total of 13 citations were issued to underage drinkers, and parents were called to pick up their minors. One neighbor suggests underage drinking and drug use is simply getting out of hand.
“I think parties are integral to kids growing up and socializing," Jim Hankes said. "But it seems sometimes they take it a little bit too far.”
