April 30, 2008, Canton, MI -  As part of Canton Police Departments preparation for the upcoming prom and graduation season, department officials have contacted area hotels to warn them about the dangers of renting rooms to persons under the age of 21.

Hotel managers were notified of the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools prom and graduation dates, as well as the dates for senior and underclass students last day of school. Hotels are being urged to adopt a no room rental to persons under the age of twenty-one policy, especially during the graduation/prom season.  It has been the departments past experience that renting rooms to persons under the age of 21 often results in potential problems for both the motel and the police department.  Many times illegal activity occurs including alcohol being consumed by minors.

Hotel managers were also reminded of alcohol laws and the departments strict enforcement action against any adult who allows persons under twenty-one years of age to consume alcoholic beverages.  This includes parents, limousine drivers, hotel/motel owners and other adults. 

In addition to these efforts, Canton Police and Fire Departments will participate in a joint effort with Plymouth-Canton Educational Park (PCEP) administration, Midwest Medflight, and SADD, to put on a mock accident scenario for high school juniors and seniors at PCEP on Thursday, May 8, 2008.  The demonstration will begin at 9 a.m., and is designed to show the students an accurate demonstration of the seriousness of an alcohol-related accident, prior to the start of their prom and graduation season.

The department urges the adult community to do their part in making this prom and graduation season a safe and sober celebration for our kids.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Deputy Chief Laura Golles, 734/394-5401

Media should arrive at 8:30 a.m. at the high school to set-up for filming of the mock accident.