It’s that time of year again: the dresses are bought, tuxedos rented, limousine reserved and plans confirmed for the high school prom. And as part of that, Westchester County has renewed its Operation Safe Prom Limo Check.

County Executive Andy Spano said that the county Department of Public Safety and local police departments will be out checking prom-bound limousines as part of this effort. 

Operation Safe Prom includes inspections of limousines to ensure they comply with all safety requirements and that party goers are not in possession of alcohol. In previous years these efforts by the police have saved the lives of teens who have alcohol poisoning. 

“Underage drinking is illegal and is not a rite of passage,” said Spano. “I remind parents to talk to their kids in advance of proms. Parents need to ask questions and to make sure their teenagers understand what is at risk if they are caught drinking. And we want to make sure that limousine companies or catering halls that ‘look the other way’ will be prosecuted as well.”

Operation Safe Prom is a joint effort with Dist. Atty. Janet DiFiore. It is coordinated by the Westchester Coalition for Drug and Alcohol Free Youth, an umbrella group for local groups dealing with teen drinking in their communities.

As part of the county’s ongoing effort to deter teen drinking:

• Limousine companies have been sent letters reminding them of the penalties for enabling underage drinking.
• High school principals have been sent letters with suggestions on how to involve parents in prom preparations.
• A brochure “What Every Parent Should Know About Prom Night…and After” is available.
• Catering halls have been sent letters asking them to notify the county of any proms they will host.
• The STOP-DWI office has given additional funding to local police departments so that they may conduct “party patrols” during the prom season.
• The STOP-DWI office has provided additional funds for the county police to stop limousines and inspect for alcohol.
• False IDs will be confiscated by police.
• There will be follow-up investigations on any alcohol found in limousines to find out who purchased the alcohol and who allowed it into the limousine.