Ah, code enforcement by me couldn't care less. They're stationed in our neighborhood because of the crowds that come. We thank them for being here. We feed them. They appreciate the neighborhood comraderie - it helps make their jobs easier.
If, at any time in the past 15 years a single code officer said, "Sorry folks - you're violating the code - no open containers" we'd have stopped the practice long ago.
We're a wonderful neighborhood filled with great families who all watch out for each other and celebrate fun times with each other.
If I lived on some main thoroughfare...it would be a different story. If I lived in a neighborhood with a different kind of "feel"...it would be a different story. But, I don't. We have this thing down to a science here. It's a tradition and we LOVE IT!
What's so funny is that our kids have such great memories of the fun times, that as young adults, they come home from college or from where ever they are now to join us. This year, my 21 year old son, my friend's 21 year old son and his friend from college and others came back to the roost to celebrate with us "old folks" instead of at bars with their friends, because of the fond memories they've made here over the past 15 years. Our neighbor's kids came with their own young children. Our former babysitter came from an hour away - she's 28!
I think some people are just so judgmental, they can't see there are different situations for every story that's told and just paint the whole universe with one broad brush.
Doesn't he know that alcohol and water don't mix 
