After issuing 200 citations during Welcome Week, Indiana State Excise Police officers continue to crack down on underage drinking. \nWith the first Hoosier football game Saturday, officers issued 108 citations Friday and Saturday, according to an Indiana State Excise Police press release. \nExcise officers issued 86 tickets during the tailgate Saturday, according to the press release. Last year, police issued 65 tickets at the football home opener. \nThroughout the weekend, 85 minors were cited for illegal possession, consumption or transportation of alcoholic beverages, 11 minors were cited for possession of false identification and four adults cited for furnishing alcoholic beverages to a minor, according to the press release. Eight additional charges were filed for “a variety of offenses,” according to the press release, including public nudity, possession of paraphernalia and public intoxication. \nIn the press release, Excise Officer Travis Thickstun said that because of the increased number of tickets issued in the last two weeks, officers believe students will start “getting the message.” He said officers are issuing more citations because there are more people outside. \n“The majority of the people that do get cited or arrested are out in public (and) are doing something they’re not supposed to be doing or out where they can be seen,” Thickstun said. \nThickstun added that after his shift ended, he noticed two underage men who had been drinking urinating behind the Monroe County Jail. He said the two men got tickets for public nudity and minor consumption. \n“(It’s) one of those examples where people kind of call attention to themselves,” he said. \nThickstun said he doesn’t expect the citation numbers to go down since football games are consistent in the number of tickets issued.
Freshman wrestler cited for alcohol offenses
An IU freshman on a wrestling scholarship received four tickets from the Indiana State Excise Police this weekend. \nJoseph Fagiano, 18, was issued tickets for possession of fake IDs, false statement of age, illegal possession of alcohol and being a minor in a liquor store after attempting to purchase alcohol at Bloomington Liquors, located at 2205 N. Walnut St., said Excise Officer Travis Thickstun.\nFagiano was a member of the 2007 wrestling team recruiting class, according to a June 2007 press release. \nNeither Fagiano nor members of the media relations staff at the IU Athletics Department could be reached for comment as of press time.
