GOSHEN – Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus is promising to sign a social host law now that the county legislature Thursday unanimously approved it.
Legislature Chairman Stephen Brescia said the law will put parents on notice that they cannot allow underage drinking at their homes.
“It holds parents more accountable for underage drinking parties, whether they are passive participants or active participants,” Brescia said. “It is a concern in light of the tragic incident in the Town of Crawford.”
That is where Justin Speights, the 20-year-old volunteer firefighter was stabbed to death when he tried to break up a fight at a Crawford home on New Year’s morning.
Neuhaus has a plan to get the word out about the law once he signs it.
“What we would like to do is start a publicity campaign maybe through the Orange County Youth Bureau to make sure that the high schools can education the parents to know what their responsibilities are, especially as we are going into prom season,” Neuhaus said.
No one has been arrested in the Speights murder and police are tight lipped about their investigation. One source said the primary suspect is a Spring Valley residence and that the murder weapon – a knife – has been recovered.
