Excise citations increase over the weekend

Citations for drinking this weekend nearly doubled from last week, with most students receiving tickets tailgating at IU’s game against Murray State.

Indiana State Excise Police handed out 118 citations, which is up from 63 citations issued during Welcome Week, Aug. 27-30.

“Our number of tickets issued this week was nearly double with 118 tickets written over two days, most during
tailgating,”  said Officer Travis Thickstun of the Indiana State Excise Police.

Eighty-five minors were arrested on preliminary charges of illegal possession, consumption or transportation of alcoholic beverages, according to a press release from the Indiana State Excise Police.

In addition, 16 minors were cited for using false identification, 12 minors were cited for making a false statement of age to an alcoholic beverage establishment, four minors were cited with being in a tavern and one person was also cited for littering, according to the press release.

Despite the high numbers, Thickstun said, “I think people are starting to get the idea that we have a significant number of officers working the tailgating area.”

He said wearing plain clothes allow officers to be inconspicuous to the crowds. On Saturday, a 19-year-old female was caught twice in possession of alcoholic beverages, according to the press release. She was cited first for possessing a cup of beer, and then two hours later, another officer in plain clothes overheard her telling her friend she had already received a ticket.

As she talked to her friend, she held a can of Keystone Light and was issued a second ticket, according to the press release. She was incarcerated at the Monroe County Jail.

Thickstun attributed the higher numbers at this past week’s game to the number of students new to campus.

“They’re not as familiar,” he said.

Also, because it’s the beginning of the year, the combination of the good weather and the fact that many students tend to have less schoolwork can result in more tickets, Thickstun said.