BREWER, Maine — Police are actively investigating an incident involving underage drinking in front of Brewer High School late Sunday night.
Brewer Deputy Chief Jason Moffitt said an officer was on routine patrol on Parkway South when he noticed several tents on the lawn in front of the school.
Moffitt said when the officer stopped to perform a routine check, about 150 kids were discovered and a number of them scattered.
According to Brewer Superintendent of Schools Jay McIntire, Brewer seniors traditionally pick a day to create a “tent city” before graduation, and it is not a school-sanctioned event. McIntire said the tradition started in the last five to 10 years.
“It’s just something the seniors have done,” McIntire said. “Up until this year, there have been no significant problems.”
McIntire said school board policy prohibits the use of alcohol on school property. He added about 20 to 25 percent of the attendees were in possession of or under the influence of alcohol.
“The principal and the assistant principal have dealt with that consistent with the student code of conduct,” the superintendent said.
McIntire said assistant principal Reg Ruhlin responded on behalf of the school department, and Moffitt did not disclose whether any students were charged.
“We still have an active investigation going,” he said.
McIntire said students who were identified as being in possession of or under the influence of alcohol were picked up by parents, and those who weren’t were allowed to remain at the tent city.
McIntire noted the situation could have been worse, especially if any students who were under the influence had chosen to drive.
“Reg was very impressed with how the Brewer Police Department and how quickly and responsibly everything was handled that night,” he said. “We didn’t want to take a bad situation and make it worse.”
McIntire said the incident will not affect whether the disciplined students will participate in graduation exercises, which are scheduled for Sunday.
“Hopefully those that made this choice have learned something from the consequences they’re experiencing,” he said.
Brewer police continue to investigate the incident.
