Facebook Photos Expose Underage Drinking Party
By LAUREN PETTY
Updated 12:36 PM EDT, Wed, Mar 11, 2009
Beer cans, beer bottles, and lots of cups could be seen in several photos that Glastonbury high school students posted on Facebook.
"In the pictures you can clearly see what looked like teenage kids holding beer cans, beer bottles or alcohol bottles," said Sgt. Joel White. "You can see beer cans lined up on a ping pong table."
Police say a concerned citizen spotted the photos online and told school officials, who then notified police.
Police investigated and say the pictures were taken February 7th at Theodore and Laura Berent's house on Old Maids Lane.
"My understanding from a number of sources is the parents were at the door where all kids came through with a basket telling them if they were going to be drinking, they needed to put their keys in the basket," Sgt. White said.
Other Glastonbury parents say they are appalled.
"Totally inappropriate," Mani Vijayasdkar said. "I don't think any parent should allow their child or anyone visiting them to have a party in the house with drinks involved."
Laura Berent is a teacher at the East Hartford - Glastonbury Elementary Magnet School, operated by the Capitol Region Education Council.
CREC released this statement, "We are aware of the situation. We find the allegations to be very serious and we have started our own investigation."
Glastonbury Superintendent Alan Bookman would not confirm whether students had been disciplined because of the Facebook photos.
He did say however the school has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to athletes. So any athlete caught drinking would be immediately kicked off the team.
Brian Sullivan doesn't even go to Glastonbury High School, but he heard about several students getting removed from sports teams.
"I mean I don't agree with what they did," Sullivan said. "But if you are going to do it, don't broadcast it cause you're not going to get away with it, obviously."
Police say in this case, Facebook may have saved lives.
"If it stops the next party that someone doesn't get stopped from leaving and they drive and hurt or kill someone or themselves, then we'll take all the help we can get," Sgt. Joel White said.
First Published: Mar 10, 2009 8:43 PM EDT
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