Drinking age laws need enforcement

An intoxicated 19-year-old man allegedly took the life of a 38-year-old pedestrian recently when he struck him with his vehicle and fled the scene. According to the underage man, a club employee was paid in order for him to consume alcohol.

To my knowledge everyone is supposed to show an identification card proving they are 21 or over. If not, you get marked and are not able to buy or consume it. Nightclubs need to reinforce stricter regulations about underage drinking. If they are unable to do so, they should be made for people of legal drinking age only and underage people should not be allowed without exceptions.

Employees who violate this or accept bribes need to be fired or charged if any accident were to happen in result to the alcohol consumption.

As a person who travels down that road, I might add that it is quite dark. Although we cannot say the main cause was the lighting, we do need to take into consideration for future reference that many people travel down that street at late hours from nightclubs. In order to make it a safer place, it would be a good idea to install more lights around the area. This would help make any pedestrian more visible.

I hope people will think twice about drinking and driving. Whether underage or not, accidents like these can happen while under the influence.

Cassandra Rodriguez, Edinburg

Minors drinking and responsibility

I believe the fatal loss of an innocent man by an intoxicated minor has opened many eyes to the local bar/club scenes in the McAllen area. I hope this tragedy will result in stricter bouncers and cause bartenders to think twice about the consequences of minor drinking.

The strip of 17th Street in downtown McAllen has always been a popular, fun attraction filled with bars and clubs. Although you would expect to be surrounded by adults of age to drink, I have encountered many underage drinkers.

This is not necessarily the bouncers’ fault because of the sneaky teens who wash off an “X” symbol on their hand to be able to drink.

This is a complicated topic for most people who believe the fault is only upon the 19-year-old, the employee who reportedly got paid $40 to condone his drinking that night.

In my opinion as a 21-year-old who conducted a needed Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission course to either allow or disallow the approval to serve alcohol, I believe the fault should be more upon the employee. This is coming from a waitress’ perspective; I have come across minors attempting to persuade me into serving alcohol with a benefit of extra change.

I feel that any person who has the entitlement to serve alcohol should think twice, and always stay on the safe side to follow TABC rules and steer away from manslaughter and arrest.

Miah Alanis, Mission

Know dangers of social media

The recent cyber teen event held at the McAllen Convention Center gave good advice to parents to be aware of the dangers of using technology. This topic concerns me because I see it in my own family, starting with my smallest nephew who is addicted to cellphones.

Nowadays most teenagers have access to some type of social media. In 2018, Texas ranked No. 15 in the nation with the biggest cyberbullying problems. Cyberbullying is the act of harassing someone online by sending or posting mean messages.

Anyone with a social media account can see content such as firearms, drugs or inappropriate pictures, and even have communication with strangers. Minors can easily fall into illegal content without noticing the harm it can cause them in the future.

The Rio Grande Valley needs more events like this. School principals should organize these types of events more often to inform parents to be involved in what kind of social media their kids get into. Presentations are needed to inform parents about the use of technology and how to block any type of illegal content and websites.

Parents pay the phone bill so they should have access to it their kids’ passwords and check their phones regularly. Parents should make time to communicate with their children so they can feel safe and know they can always count on them for anything that comes up.

I believe our community should come together to get involved with teens and become familiar with the danger the internet can be.

Lorena Vela, Palmhurst
