BEACH GOING TO POT

I play volleyball two or three times a week at Kal Beach. There is nothing
like being with friends and family enjoying a game that is both challenging
and rewarding. How lucky we are to have such a beautiful background for our
activity.

Lately I have been able to bring my youngest child with me. While he is not
interested in cheering on his mom or aunt, he does enjoy the water and the
anticipated slush after the game.

I was disappointed and shocked by what took place on the pier, Wednesday,
June 23. Hordes of youth, obviously intoxicated, began egging each other on
in anticipation of what looked like a brawl between two groups. Soon there
were 15-25 young people pushing, yelling the F-word and becoming more
excited and vocal.

I have witnessed this behavior on many occasions. When did it become
acceptable to society to stand back and let our under-aged youth drink
alcohol, smoke pot and freely use the F-word in a public place?

I've told my son not to go on the pier. I was going to tell him not to go
unless I was with him, but I don't want to walk past these youth either. To
be quite honest, their boldness is unsettling. How can I explain to my
12-year-old that it is illegal to smoke pot and openly drink alcohol when
it appears to be the reason so many young people are gathered on the pier?

It also struck me that we are known in the Okanagan for our beautiful lakes
and beaches. The tourist season has just began. If I don't want to be
subjected to such behavior by our youth, I doubt that any tourist would.

Is this the impression we want to have of Vernon?