Message from B-PEN

            GUIDELINES FOR KEEPING SUMMERTIME SAFE FOR KIDS

               

B-PEN (Brookline Parent Education Network) urges Brookline parents to be vigilant about 

where their kids are and what they are doing  during the upcoming vacation days. We join 

with the Brookline Police  Department in making the following recommendations:

            •Have your kids check in regularly.

•Reinforce the rule of never driving impaired or riding in a car with a driver who has 

been drinking alcohol or smoking marijuana.

•As you host parties and backyard barbecues, be mindful of the accessibility of your alcohol. 

Increasingly, parents in Massachusetts are being prosecuted for underage drinking on their 

property – whether they provide the alcohol or even know about its presence.

•Watch out for unsupervised house parties, which are especially troublesome over the summer 

months and have been the scene of many tragic events. Word gets out that parents will be away, 

and parties can quickly get out of hand, often resulting in alcohol and drug overdoses, date rape, 

vandalism and incidences of violence. All members of the Brookline community -- parents, 

neighbors and teens – should do our part to prevent these tragedies.

•If you go out of town, let the Brookline Police know – they can keep an eye on your property. 

And if you are aware of plans for an unsupervised house party, please call them -- 24 hours a day, 

7 days a week. The telephone number for the Police Station Front Desk is 617-730-2222. If you 

prefer, your call can be anonymous. The police will send out a special patrol to assess the safety 

of the situation. Appropriate steps will be taken to intervene with any risky behaviors, including 

alcohol and drug use.

•Please tell your kids that if they suspect any of their friends are in trouble or in danger of 

alcohol poisoning or drug overdose, don’t walk away – make the call. They just might save a life.

•Put some structure in those lazy, hazy days –spend time as a family, and make plans for activities.

             For a list of suggestions, ranging from job/volunteer ideas for older kids to fun, safe activities, 

visit www.B-PEN.orgfor our Summertime Tipssheet.     

Have a safe, happy summer!

 B-PEN (Brookline Parent Education Network) 

(Karen Campbell & June Harris, Coordinators)