Police issue more than 200 alcohol citations

Police cracked down on underage drinking this weekend, issuing about 200 alcohol-related citations to students during IU’s Welcome Week.\nFrom Wednesday through Sunday, the Indiana State Excise Police wrote 181 citations, a 60 percent jump from last year’s count of 107. In addition, the IU Police Department made 32 arrests, said IUPD Capt. Jerry Minger. \nMinger said 13 of their arrests involved some sort of medical assistance, including an unconscious individual who recorded a .27 blood alcohol content level. \nThe Indiana State Excise Police began assigning extra officers to Bloomington locations the week before classes began. Eighty-one minors were charged with illegal possession, consumption or transportation of alcoholic beverages. In addition, 38 minors were charged with the possession of a fake I.D.\nOfficer Travis Thickstun of the Excise Police said underage drinking and fake I.D.’s are the biggest problem on Bloomington’s campus. He cautioned students to not have fake I.D.’s and not to drink underage at all, but said the main issue is really that students are more concerned with not getting caught than not possessing illegal items. \nThickstun said officers approach students they believe to appear young and then check for information.\nThe excise police plans to continue the same level of activity as before by working at alcohol establishments inside and outside and general patrols around the Bloomington campus.\nNine adults were arrested for furnishing alcoholic beverages to minors, and 20 minors were charged with entering a liquor store or tavern.\nThe excise police also caught 33 people who were arrested on charges of a variety of offenses, including drug possession, public intoxication and other violations. \n“All officers have discretion on when to work and where to go, it is the officers choice where to check and where to patrol,” Thickstun said. \nBusinesses were no exception to violations. Big Red Liquors on College Avenue was cited for allowing a minor to loiter along with the sale of alcoholic beverages to a minor. In January 2007, the store was cited for the same violations, according to excise police reports.\nKilroy’s on Kirkwood was also cited for six counts each of allowing a minor to loiter and the sale of alcoholic beverages to a minor. A total of 13 minors were issued citations at Kilroy’s.