A class-action suit, and the birth of a new law
New state alcohol legislation has sparked controversy among residents of New Jersey towns who fear it could infringe on individuals' right to privacy.But this method of preventing underage drinking ? giving police powers to cite underage drinkers on private property ? is not new to the state.Avalon, N.J., adopted a similar ordinance more than 20 years ago to combat underage drinking at rented homes during the summer, when the town's population swells from 2,000 to 30,000.State officials in Atlantic County began pushing for the new state law last year when Avalon was forced to repeal its ordinance ? which made underage drinking a punishable offense even on private property ? under the settlement terms of a federal class-action lawsuit.Under the original Avalon ordinance, violators faced fines of $125 for the first offense and mandatory community service, according to Avalon police Chief Steve Sykes.But in 1996, Avalon police stepped up their enforcement of the ordinance to combat the drinking, which they believed was rising to alarming levels.




