Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

July 14, 2011

Dan Keefe
518-486-1868

New York State Park Police Remind Concert-Goers of Alcohol Restrictions at Saratoga Spa State Park

Multi Agency Effort Will Continue to Target Drunk Driving, Underage Drinking and Other Alcohol-related Crimes

The New York State Park Police, in cooperation with the New York State Police, the Department of Motor Vehicles Division of Field Investigations (DFI), the Saratoga County District Attorney, the City of Saratoga Springs Police Department, and the Saratoga County Sheriff's Department, will continue a coordinated effort to crack down on illegal alcohol-related activities at and around Saratoga Spa State Park during the 2011 Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) Live Nation concert series.

"Last year's zero-tolerance approach to illegal alcohol use at and around Saratoga Spa State Park enhanced the safety of our patrons and employees, while improving the overall concert experience at SPAC," said Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Rose Harvey. "On many levels, the program was a great success, resulting in everything from fewer serious crimes to less trash left behind in the park, and we will look to build on that success this concert season."

"With our law enforcement partners, State Park Police continue an aggressive approach to enforcing the alcohol restrictions and vehicle and traffic laws in and around the park. Underage drinking and driving while intoxicated will not be tolerated," said Chief Richard O'Donnell, New York State Park Police Director of Law Enforcement.

"Summer presents many opportunities for fun, but also for danger," said Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and Chair of the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee Barbara J. Fiala. "I am pleased that our Division of Field Investigations officers are involved in this important effort to target underage drinking and drunk driving. As a result of this enforcement, the highways will be safer for all those who use them."

"We continue to work collaboratively to make the state park and SPAC one of the safest venues in the northeast," said Saratoga County District Attorney James Murphy. "The policy works. Since there is a direct correlation between underage intoxication and criminal behavior, we have seen a decline in arrests and violent crime as a result of the no-alcohol policy. The DA's office is pleased to be part of the solution in working closely with our partners in New York State Parks and law enforcement."

"I applaud SPAC and the NYS Park Police for their ongoing vigilance in preventing underage drinking," said Heather Kisselback, Executive Director of The Prevention Council, which partners with OPRHP to educate parents on how to keep their kids safe during the summer. "We also encourage parents to do their part. Research has shown that even with teenagers, parents have more influence than they think they do. Routinely communicating expectations about underage drinking, especially before these kinds of events, is critical. Furthermore, parents should ensure their teen has a ticket and that they don't arrive at the park too early."

"Any time there a large gathering of people, there's the potential for problems. When you also factor in the relative youth of many concert attendees and possible alcohol use, the chance of risky behaviors increases. The proactive interventions by the State Park, SPAC, and the community help to create a safe, environment where we can all enjoy the music without negative consequences," said Maggie Fronk, Executive Director of Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services of Saratoga County, which partners with the Park to provide volunteers on concert nights to help spot problems and offer assistance to patrons.

Under the plans outlined:

• Uniformed and plainclothes police officers will patrol park grounds, parking areas and the concert venue and make necessary arrests, issue tickets, impound vehicles, confiscate and discard alcoholic beverages and eject violators from the park and concert venue.
• Passive alcohol screening devices (Alco-Sensor FSTs ) will be used by authorities to detect alcohol in unmarked containers
• Department of Motor Vehicles Division of Field Investigations and police officers equipped with instruments designed to detect alterations to identification documents will be on site looking for underage people using fake IDs - a serious offense that can lead to arrest, prosecution and loss of driving privileges.
• Police will be monitoring roadways and entry points to screen motorists for possession of alcoholic beverages and intoxicated driving. Intoxicated drivers will be immediately arrested and their vehicles may be impounded.
• Inside the SPAC venue, a bracelet is required to purchase alcohol. Bracelets are obtained by showing legal ID at one of the ID stations set up inside the facility.

Parking and Operational Changes Will Be In Effect

Parking and operational changes implemented last year remain in effect for the 2011 SPAC concert series. Gates to the SPAC parking lots on Route 50 open at 5:00 p.m. for Further and Lil Wayne. Gates to the amphitheater open at 6:00 p.m.

Parking is available at numerous lots throughout Saratoga Spa State Park for a $10 fee. Patrons are encouraged to car pool. Parking in the Park is easily accessible from all four major entrances to the park off Route 9 and Route 50. Concert-goers are strongly encouraged to plan for traffic congestion heading into the park.

The Route 50 entrance to SPAC is the best place to drop off ticket holders starting at 6:00. The entrance by the Sun Dial off the Route 50 parking lot will be accessible starting at 10 p.m. for those returning to pick up concert goers. The public is also reminded that state parks are Carry In - Carry Out facilities. Patrons should take responsibility for removing their own litter, should not bring any glass containers into the park as these present a hazard to patrons and an unnecessary, costly and time intensive project to sweep broken glass.

Young People at SPAC Concerts

The Route 50 entrance to SPAC is the best place to drop off ticket holders starting at 5:30 p.m. The entrance by the Sun Dial off the Route 50 parking lot will be accessible starting at 10 pm for those returning to pick up concert goers.

 The Prevention Council Offered the following tips for parents about keeping kids safe during the concert season:

• Make sure your child has a ticket to the concert. Hanging around outside the venue or attempting to "jump the fence" are very risky alternatives.
• Do not drop your teen off at the venue hours before a concert begins. Allowing teens to "hang out" before a concert leaves them vulnerable to dangerous situations and unwanted consequences. This time frame may also offer too much temptation for risky behaviors.
• Communicate your expectations about underage drinking. Research shows that kids are less likely to drink if parents set boundaries, voice clear no-use expectations, and hold regular discussions about alcohol. Communicating your disapproval of underage drinking is the most effective thing you can do to prevent it. As with anything your teen does outside the home, know who he or she will be with.
• Ask questions and follow through if you sense any red flags. Be awake - or awakened - to greet your teen when he or she gets home from a concert. Let your nose be your guide about whether any drinking or smoking took place. If your teen is going to spend the night with a friend following the concert, confirm with parents that the sleepover is planned, and that they will be awake when the teens arrive.