Police Target Underage Alcohol Crimes

Ames Police Department's Safe Neighborhoods Team's targeted investigation into individuals providing alcohol to people under 21 years of age, brought a high number of alcohol related charges in recent weeks.

The team focused on alcohol related crimes for three weeks in August and one week in September, according to a release from the Ames Police Department.

During that time, 20 people were cited for possession of alcohol under age, 11 people were arrested for providing alcohol to people under age and three others were cited and released for providing alcohol to people under age, the release said.

Providing alcohol to people under age is a simple misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and up to a $625 fine, plus court costs, if the person who provides the alcohol is 18 to 20. The penalties increase if the person who provides alcohol to underage drinkers is 21 years old or older. In that case, providing alcohol to a person under age is a serious misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,875 plus court costs, according to the release.

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