Teen reenactor dead - alcohol involved

[maillemaker]

How does an "outsider" stop it, though?

I continue to be amazed at this kind of issue. It's like the other threads talking about have people ever been thrown out of events.

Responsibility for this sort of thing lies with the event organizers. If you see an illegal activity, you report it to the event organizers, who then can eject the people from the site and call law enforcement if necessary.

And reenactors have a vested interest in this kind of thing. It is easy to lose access to event sites because of alcohol issues, which can result in not just that group losing access to the site, but all associated or affiliated groups also losing access.

Steve

[reddcorp]

According to the local report on this incident, the Park permitted adults to consume alcoholic beverages. In this instance, the lad's mother permitted or gave him 2-3 beers, and it was stated that this was commonplace. He likely tripped, slipped at night near the water, fell in, perhaps striking his head, and drowned. Whether the beer contributed to the fall is speculative. I've tripped heading for the treeline at night, stone sober, so who knows? Tragic though. Responsible adults taking a drink or two in a responsible manne....I have no problem with that, even at a reenactment.
A.Redd

[Rob Weaver]

I think I would skip the level of unit leadership althogether and talk to no one lower than the event organizer level. Our units aren't really organized with any reall off-field power - an event authority is the lowest level that could say "this behavior must cease" with any hint of authority. You could also be placing yourself in a situation that might escalate into something personally dangerous. At the same time, I wouldn't leave it totally in their hands. I would hand it over and stay engaged in a "if you aren't going to call someone I will" understanding.

[maillemaker]

I think I would skip the level of unit leadership althogether and talk to no one lower than the event organizer level. Our units aren't really organized with any reall off-field power - an event authority is the lowest level that could say "this behavior must cease" with any hint of authority. You could also be placing yourself in a situation that might escalate into something personally dangerous. At the same time, I wouldn't leave it totally in their hands. I would hand it over and stay engaged in a "if you aren't going to call someone I will" understanding.

This is the correct answer.

When you are dealing with illegal activities at a function, any kind of function, you have to go to the people with the real-life authority to eject the offenders from the site and/or call real-life law enforcement. This is not a place for dealing with make-believe command structures.

Steve

[billwatson2]

"I think I would skip the level of unit leadership altogether and talk to no one lower than the event organizer level."

Agreed, and with what Steve Sheldon said also.
The magic words: "Does your insurance cover your liability for what I just told you?" It is like a 2x4 to the head of a balky mule: It gets their attention and can energize them out of the inertia they often hide behind whenever there's a human relations issue to confront.