The Pearl DARTed by COJ / JSO

[Driven1]

in regards to this most recent generation and their sad lack of work ethic and responsibility, (the Echo Boom generation - that is, they are living off of mom & dad's or grandma and grandpa's $$) perhaps we should consider raising the drinking age to 30.

[jbm32206]

the current generation isn't responsible because we (society) don't force them to be responsible, they say 26 years old today is yesterday's 18 and in some ways it is very true. I have an 18 year old and there really isn't any reason for him to be banned from drinking, going to bars and clubs. sure some will have problems but many won't and it is a shame that the majority has to suffer because of a bunch of mad moms

As if it's only the mothers that have a say in how the child is raised...the fathers are just as guilty in failing in their parental responsibilities. However, I do agree that most of this falls upon poor parenting, as to why the kids aren't responsible.

[apvbguy]

the current generation isn't responsible because we (society) don't force them to be responsible, they say 26 years old today is yesterday's 18 and in some ways it is very true. I have an 18 year old and there really isn't any reason for him to be banned from drinking, going to bars and clubs. sure some will have problems but many won't and it is a shame that the majority has to suffer because of a bunch of mad moms

As if it's only the mothers that have a say in how the child is raised...the fathers are just as guilty in failing in their parental responsibilities. However, I do agree that most of this falls upon poor parenting, as to why the kids aren't responsible.

the mad moms comment was in reference to the temperance group know as mad mothers against drunk driving. they have a cause and it is a good cause, but their getting a blanket prohibition against under 21 drinking is just wrong.

[Lunican]

The group is called Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), not mad mothers.

[apvbguy]

The group is called Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), not mad mothers.

whatever, the point is that they've foisted their agenda upon everyone, and issues like this are a result of the emotional laws put into place to save us from ourselves

[jbm32206]

"Emotional laws"...we're loaded with them....Megans Law for one...that was certainly fueled by emotions, and the agenda of those behind it "foisted" their emotions upon law makers.

Many people need to be saved from themselves and the laws are there to do so. Given that teenagers have such a terrible history with driving, and add into that, drinking...so why aren't the insurance companies being more fair? Mainly because of the facts.

[apvbguy]

"Emotional laws"...we're loaded with them....Megans Law for one...that was certainly fueled by emotions, and the agenda of those behind it "foisted" their emotions upon law makers.

Many people need to be saved from themselves and the laws are there to do so. Given that teenagers have such a terrible history with driving, and add into that, drinking...so why aren't the insurance companies being more fair? Mainly because of the facts.

isn't this the home of the urban pioneers? the ones who fight for walkable, transit orientated communities? why do you assume that every under 21 drinker will get into a car and have problems?
the under 18 alcohol ban is a one size fits all solution, that is overbearing and unfair.

My anecdotal story is that I have an 18 son in college, he cannot legally have a drink, go out to clubs, or even have a glass of wine with dinner.  when he and his pals go want to go out it is carless, but they are shut out of the bars/clubs and other venues that would appeal to them, what is their alternative? obtain alcohol illegally then have a party in someone's apt, that is where the real problems begin.
I agree that there are many many teens who misuse alcohol, as there are many adults over 21 who also misuse alcohol but arbitrarily setting an age of 18 for alcohol despite the fact that at 18 these kids are considered adults for everything else is ludicrous.

these kids can vote, sign binding contracts, serve in the military, be held accountable for their acts as an adult in the justice system, but they can't enjoy a beer while watching a football game.
just like many people here are upset about this club being shut down for nonsense violations this prohibition of under 21 drinking is really just nonsense. let the kids have their fun, let them have their experiences of growing up, both the good and the bad, they have rights too and shouldn't be restricted like they are now.

[Jason]

I'm with you in that sentiment apvbguy. 

I'm also a believer that many laws do NOT need to be in place to save people from themselves.  Just because something is against the law doesn't mean someone will head it for their own sake, they head it because they don't want to go to jail or get a ticket.  Laws should be made in order to protect OTHERS from someone's elses stupidity or lack of regard for right or wrong.  Education should protect people from their own actions, not laws.

Drunk driving is something that endangers others, "underage" drinking endangers nobody.  Not wearing you seatbelt or helmet endangers nobody but yourself, driving too fast or carelessly endangers others around you.  Why restrict a legal consenting adult (18 year old) moreso than an older consenting adult?  If that is the concern then maybe we should rethink the legal age of consent.

[apvbguy]

  If that is the concern then maybe we should rethink the legal age of consent.

and that is this issue in a nutshell.
one interesting thing is, and my son is ahead of the curve regarding political issues, is that he feels that most kids his age do not possess the maturity needed for many of the rights they receive just for turning 18, for example he feels that the voting age is too low, he feels most kids his age do not have the maturity needed for voting wisely, then again neither do many adults.

[RiversideGator]

In Europe they allow drinking at age 18 but have very strict drunk driving laws and good mass transit.  Maybe this is the answer.

[apvbguy]

In Europe they allow drinking at age 18 but have very strict drunk driving laws and good mass transit.  Maybe this is the answer.

actually some countries allow drinking at a younger age, my underage son had no problems ordering wine and have you ever tried to use the tubes in London or the metro in paris after a night out?  bzzzzt, you can't they're shut down late at night, there are buses they are sporadic at best at those times, your only choice is a cab ride. It really isn't so rosy over there

[apvbguy]

This is true.  When I lived in Paris the metro doesnt really run after 3ish.

more like 1sh and on some lines even earlier, the point is that there is this unrealistic romantic view of life in europe, it just isn't true, our standard of living is much higher here and for many people the quality of life in the US far exceeds what can be found in much of europe

[jbm32206]

"Emotional laws"...we're loaded with them....Megans Law for one...that was certainly fueled by emotions, and the agenda of those behind it "foisted" their emotions upon law makers.

Many people need to be saved from themselves and the laws are there to do so. Given that teenagers have such a terrible history with driving, and add into that, drinking...so why aren't the insurance companies being more fair? Mainly because of the facts.

isn't this the home of the urban pioneers? the ones who fight for walkable, transit orientated communities? why do you assume that every under 21 drinker will get into a car and have problems?
the under 18 alcohol ban is a one size fits all solution, that is overbearing and unfair.

First of all, where in my post do I say that I agree? Or where did I say that I agree that every teenager gets behind the wheel and has problems? I pointed out another law that was fueled by emotion...like it or not, they happen. I also pointed out about the insurance companies in relation to teenagers, but yet people only seem to be worried about kids being able to drink and who gives a damn if they end up having to pay triple what most others have to pay for car insurance....guess I see this as a different view on priorities.

I'm also more concerned that teenagers can go to war and come home in boxes, but who gives a damn about that...when all there is to be worried about is whether or not they can legally drink a beer....sorry, but on the scale of what's important in life, lowering the drinking age is pretty close to being on the bottom.

Now back to the underage drinking and the law...personally, I could care less if they lower the age. When I was younger and lived up north, we (teenagers) simply drove over the bridge to New Jersey and drank there, where the age was 18...so I do understand. I remember protesting about kids being old enough to serve in the military, but not old enough to get served at a local tap.

I also was raised within a European family, and we had wine with dinner...and did so for as long as I can recall. Europeans have a much different view, but then again...it's not a matter of taking it to excess as Americans tend to do.

[apvbguy]

I also pointed out about the insurance companies in relation to teenagers, but yet people only seem to be worried about kids being able to drink and who gives a damn if they end up having to pay triple what most others have to pay for car insurance....guess I see this as a different view on priorities.

you've lost me, right now kids under 18 cannot drink and they do pay 3x more for car insurance, what is your point?

I'm also more concerned that teenagers can go to war and come home in boxes, but who gives a damn about that...when all there is to be worried about is whether or not they can legally drink a beer....sorry, but on the scale of what's important in life, lowering the drinking age is pretty close to being on the bottom.

I am and everyone should be concerned about the horrors of war, but that is the point, at 18 they can volunteer to be in the military, be placed in harm's way but because of a bunch of busy bodies they cannot enjoy a beer.

Now back to the underage drinking and the law...personally, I could care less if they lower the age. When I was younger and lived up north, we (teenagers) simply drove over the bridge to New Jersey and drank there, where the age was 18...so I do understand. I remember protesting about kids being old enough to serve in the military, but not old enough to get served at a local tap.

and that is precisely why the feds got involved, to get rid of the age disparities between states, the disparities were eliminated but somehow we wound up with a universal age of 21 and that is what the complaint is about.

[David]

Did anyone else get an email back regarding the DART program? I wrote them on Saturday when the uproar was still fresh. I just inquired about the basics of the program and how they go about their routine...(with a few jabs about how they're helping us remain a national laughing stock)

Here's what I got today:

Mr. Robertson,
The Mayor’s Office has requested that I respond to your inquiry regarding the DART inspection of the business known as The Pearl.
As background information, the Jacksonville Drug Abatement Response Team (DART), a collaborative effort of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Office of General Counsel, the Building Inspections Division, the Fire/Rescue Department and the Municipal Code Compliance Division, was established in 1996 to combat illegal drugs in Jacksonville by supplementing the traditional approach to solving the drug problem by focusing on properties where drug activities are suspected. 
The Pearl was inspected to address concerns of suspected underage drinking and narcotics being sold/used at the club.  Of major concern at the time of inspection was the number of patrons present and the limited egress from the building.  In addition, multiple code violations, particularly electrical issues, were found by the Building Inspections Division and the Fire/Rescue Department.
In answer to your question, this establishment can reopen for business as soon as all violations cited are corrected which will ensure the safety and well being of all its patrons. 
If I can provide additional information please advise.

Derek D. Igou
Deputy Director
Environmental and Compliance Department

Nothing new there.

If they've been watching the place for weeks and suspect drug use/underage drinking, what defense does the Pearl or any business for that matter have? They can just go around saying ::red foreman voice::"yep, we suspected you weird artsy types are dope'n it up at your dopehead clubs with your dopehead friends"

We know there's far more drug use at other places, but like I said..what defense do you have against this? I'd like to see the documented evidence they have that justifed it in the first place.