Reading Police Awarded Grant to Combat Underage Drinking

The following was submitted by the Reading Police Department:

The announced that it will receive $5,000 from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) as one of 31 grants to local police departments to combat underage drinking. EOPSS awarded $217,000 in U.S. Dept. of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention funds were awarded by on a competitive basis; grants varied between $5,000 and $15,000 based on the size of the community.

“There are many tools to combat underage drinking, and this grant provides much needed funding to target the problem,” said Chief Cormier “Whether you are underage, plan to sell to a minor, or buy alcohol for a minor, we will be on the look out.”

The grants will fund a variety of law enforcement activities including: stings/compliance checks in bars, restaurants and retail locations; reverse stings; “shoulder tap” and “Cops in Shops” programs; and party patrols. Through a combination of these techniques, departments will be able to analyze and crack down on both minors who seek to circumvent the law and those people and businesses that allow them to. Activities under this grant in last year led to 217 youth citations and 189 arrests, and 87 adult citations and 64 arrests across the Commonwealth. In Reading, five local businesses were cited for providing alcohol to a minor during alcohol compliance operations in 2011.

“Teens and parents need to be reminded that underage drinking is deadly serious,” said Chief Cormier. “Parents need to know that hosting a party where alcohol is served to minors is both illegal and extremely dangerous for the minors, for others in the community, and for the parents themselves, given the legal liabilities they face.”

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2009 nationwide, 33% of 15- to 20-year-olds killed in crashes had a blood alcohol content of .01 or higher. Compounding the problem, drivers who have been drinking are also less likely to use restraints. Also in 2009 nationwide, 60% of young drivers of passenger vehicles involved in fatal crashes who had been drinking were unrestrained. Of the young drivers who had been drinking and were killed in crashes, 70% were unrestrained.Any loss or injury on our roadways is one too many. The Reading Police Department, in partnership with EOPSS, recognizes that traffic crashes are preventable, and is committed to using this grant to reduce the number of motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries in Reading.

Detailed list of potential compliance operations:

Cops in Shops- This operation typically consists of one undercover officer who works inside the store while a second officer is positioned outside the establishment to apprehend adults that procure alcohol for youths. Cops in Shops places the focus on the perpetrators --- minors that try to purchase alcohol illegally and adults that try to purchase alcohol illegally for minors. Signs are placed in stores prior to the operation to notify patrons of the possible presence of undercover officers.

Underage stings/compliance checks- Underage young adults under the direction of Reading Police will come into local businesses during the year to try to buy alcoholic beverages. Police officers will be working with these youths. Businesses where sales to underage buyers occur will be referred to the local licensing authority for administrative action. Additionally, a criminal complaint may be filed at Woburn District Court for staff caught selling alcohol to underage buyers. Reports on compliance check operations become public data under State law, meaning that the identity of businesses checked and the outcome of each check can be obtained and published by the news media.

Party patrols- Enforcement activities will be implemented by Reading Police to prevent and safely disperse underage drinking parties to reduce underage alcohol use and problems. Potential criminal offenses that may be identified during party patrols may include but are not limited to: protective custody, minor in possession, open container, driving under the influence, and/or procuring alcohol for a minor. For criminal offenses, a criminal complaint may be filed at Woburn District Court or Lowell Juvenile Court.

Surveillance patrols- Reading Police will monitor locations throughout the community to gather information on potential underage drinking violations. These locations may include local sporting events, town conservation land, parking areas, and other areas identified as “hot spots”. Potential criminal offenses that may be identified during party patrols may include but are not limited to: protective custody, minor in possession, open container, driving under the influence, and/or procuring alcohol for a minor. For criminal offenses, a criminal complaint may be filed at Woburn District Court or Lowell Juvenile Court.