Charleston police step up alcohol patrols to thwart underage drinking

By Rob Stroud

"As Eastern Illinois University's fall semester begins, Charleston's population increases due to the influx of students and so does the Charleston Police Department's workload."

"Police Chief Bryan Baker said increased overnight patrols during the first two weekends of the semester resulted in approximately 300 people being cited for city ordinance violations, most commonly purchase/acceptance of alcohol and possession of alcohol by someone under the legal drinking age of 21. ..."

"City Attorney Brian Bower said the high volume of alcohol-related ordinance violations is common during the first few weeks of the fall semester as freshmen celebrate the freedom of being away from their parents' supervision and upperclassmen celebrate reuniting with their friends. ..."

Full article available at http://www.jg-tc.com/articles/2009/09/09/news/doc4aa8578f39f5d363779877....