Local December 17, 2023 | 10:00 am

Those who consume alcohol on streets, sidewalks or parks would be punished with imprisonment.

People who consume alcohol in public spaces, such as streets, sidewalks, or parks, would be punished with correctional imprisonment, according to what is proposed in a bill currently being studied by the Chamber of Deputies.

According to the Legislative Information System of the Chamber of Deputies, the bill was filed by Congressman Agustin Burgos, representative of La Vega for the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM), who alleges in the bill that the State must guarantee public order.

The main article of the initiative establishes the prohibition of the sale, dispensing, distribution, and consumption of alcoholic beverages in public spaces without any exception.

POLITICS
Colmados would need a license from the Interior and Police to sell alcoholic beverages.
According to the proposal, the infraction of consuming alcohol in public places will be considered a crime that will be punishable with penalties of up to 30 days of correctional imprisonment or fines reaching up to 30 minimum wages.

To execute the law, the proponent establishes that the Ministry of Interior and Police will have three months to draft a regulation governing the new rule after it is enacted.

Arguments
In the project’s arguments, the author states that the excessive consumption of alcohol causes health and social damages, including mental illnesses, intentional injuries, and metabolic conditions.

In addition, he argues that the consumption of alcoholic beverages brings consequences for other people and also drags violence, breach of responsibilities, and social nuisance.

“The sale and consumption of alcohol in inappropriate places and at inappropriate times causes uneasiness, anxiety and anguish among neighbors and, on occasions, even leads to acts of violence that end in death,” said Deputy Burgos.

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Brien
December 17, 2023 10:10 am

Am I reading this right? 30 days in prison for having a drink in front of a colmado? my goodness.

John
December 17, 2023 9:53 pm
Reply to  Brien

@Brien it reads “… with penalties of up to 30 days of correctional imprisonment or fines reaching up to 30 minimum wages.” I get the feeling that 30 days, will be on extreme cases. Maybe in cases of public intoxication, disorderly conduct and open container violations.

Tom Gato
December 17, 2023 10:33 am

The PRM is gravitating closer and closer to an all controlling police state

Paul Tierney
December 17, 2023 10:57 am

The emphasis should be on drinking while driving.

Just make this note: when there is a political rally on a street, sidewalk or park and Presidente beer providing the stage, canopies, sales booths, and refreshments; you can bet there will be no arrests.

My Name Is Not Important
December 17, 2023 6:37 pm

I swear, within 10 years, you will be more stereotypically Dominican if you live outside of the Dominican Republic than in the country because at least you won’t go to jail for a month for either having a beer on your hand in public, blasting music to a max volume, or having a possession of a hookah, including homemade ones. The DR is slowly becoming a boring country, and I like it.

John
December 17, 2023 9:45 pm

Hummm…interesting!….I think the goal is to curtail the street parties “teteos” that are becoming too much in some “barrios”. However, my question is will it be enforced??

Mr. Sensible
December 18, 2023 7:08 am

Add this to the other 100’s of “laws” that see little to no enforcement.

julia maria perez
December 18, 2023 12:54 pm

this type of legislation comes to the floor every couple of years and dies, do not worry.

Fundador
December 18, 2023 7:30 pm

80% of population will be incarcerated …maybe that’s the ultimate goal …
However first you need to build enough jail cells to enforce this “law”