The State - News from Sept. 14, 1986

Police in Danville, in Contra Costa County, are cracking down on youthful drinking by making videotapes of teen-agers at private parties to show to parents. “I think the videotaping could be a useful tool when we know we’re responding to a rowdy party,” said Police Chief Ken Sandy, who started the policy two weeks ago after an incident in which 300 young party-goers tossed beer bottles at police. Already, in nearby Diablo, a party of 200 teen-agers scattered in a few minutes when officers showed up at the private home with cameras rolling, he said. The American Civil Liberties Union has objected to the practice as a possible violation of the youths’ right to privacy. But Danville police say they have a right to photograph evidence that minors are drinking illegally. Since June, they say they have have confiscated 35 kegs of beer from teen-age parties.