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Show . . M Policeman recalls his, graduation Graduation night is June L. Viewmont High will be holding a ' celebration until 4:00 a.m. and' Bountiful High's celebration will last until 6:00 a.m. According to . Bountiful Police Lt Don Taylor the graduates need and deserve a place where they can celebrate and unwind un-wind in a manner that "will not cause injury to others or to themselves." them-selves." These all-night parties at the high schools offer students a place to do just that. In an attempt to prevent problems, prob-lems, Bountiful City will be placing extra patrols on duty the night of graduation. Specific areas to be monitored will be the foothills of Bountiful as well as homes and apartments where large crowds are gathered. Recently, one parent actually " " rented an apartment for a full month so his graduating senior could celebrate. By the end of the month, the apartment had been raided, with adults being arrested for contributing con-tributing to the delinquency of minors and juveniles being arrested for alcohol abuse. There seems to be a tradition developing de-veloping that is extremely dangerous. Students are taking the hand-held fire extinguishers from schools, modifying them and then using them as huge squirt guns. Although Al-though it may sound like fun, some serious accidents have occurred. Startled drivers have been hit by the spray and lost control of vehicles. People who wear contact lenses suffer serious eye injury when hit If caught, offenders can be charged with assault, vandalism and theft Lt Taylor explained that he : understood the need for graduates to celebrate. He recalled his high school graduation where he had , planned to "get bombed" himself. He, a date and another couple were on their way to Reno. He was elected to purchase some 'booze' vbecause...he - was 4he . most, mature looking. He said he took one sip, almost gagged, and gave up the whole idea. ; The major problems on graduation gradua-tion night seem to involve traffic violations and drinking. Graduates are naturally excited and have earned earn-ed the right to celebrate. Lt Taylor said "these kids have so much to Jive for, to see and to experik ence."The best advice he could give would be for the graduates to "Plan ahead and set up something that will let them expend energy in a way that will not endanger others or themselves. In addition to extra patrols the night of graduation, additional officers offi-cers will be on duty the weekend and week before graduation to ' "keep a handle on things so they don't get too wild and wooly," said Taylor. |