Signs May Help Combat Parent Drinking at Youth Sports Games, Officials Say

Ramsey is looking for a way to deter borough parents from drinking alcoholic beverages at their kids’ sports games, and council members say signs at borough parks may help do the trick.

At a council meeting Monday, Councilwoman and Public Safety Committee Chair Deirdre Dillon said the Ramsey Drug Alliance, Police Department, and local officials are considering a plan to add signage to Finch Park and MacFarren Field. The signs, she said, would remind residents that drinking alcohol on borough property is not permitted.

The signs would be put up specifically to “address parents’ drinking at their childrens’ sporting events,” Dillon said.

Dillon said the plan would also include Ramsey DARE Officer Tim Shoemaker working with the youth sports leagues in town to enforce the rule. The PD is in support of the signage, Dillon, who said the Public Safety Committee said it would help minimize drinking at local parks, said.

Though most council members seemed in support of the idea Monday night, a few warned that the borough should avoid “over-signage.” Though officials said signs should be placed in key areas of the parks, they warned against over-saturating the area with too may signs, and as a result having the signs have less impact.

Borough officials said they would continue to look into the costs and factors associated with installing the signs.

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