University News
Grant Targets Underage Alcohol Consumption
February 24, 2012
MACOMB, IL – For the third consecutive year, the Western Illinois University Office of Public Safety (OPS), Western's Alcohol and Other Drug Resource Center (AODRC) and the Macomb Police Department (MPD) have received a federal grant from the Illinois Higher Education Center for the Enforcement of Underage Drinking Laws (EUDL) to address illegal consumption of alcohol and other alcohol-related violations.
Funding from the grant is being used to provide additional enforcement details through March to address such violations as underage consumption and open alcohol, said OPS Sgt. Curt Bilbrey.
Fines for underage consumption and possession and open alcohol consumption in public can range anywhere from $250-$750.
According to Macomb Police Department Chief Curt Barker, Macomb police officers are checking for underage drinking in bars and restaurants, as well as conducting compliance checks for such businesses as liquor stores and gas stations that sell alcohol.
Barker added that if a person under the age of 21 uses a false ID to purchase alcohol or obtain entry into an over-21 establishment, officers can not only ticket the student who uses the false ID, but they can also ticket the person who let the underage individual use the ID to get into the establishment.
"We're pleased to partner with the Macomb Police Department and the Alcohol and Other Drug Resource Center at Western in an effort to provide a safer environment for our students," Bilbrey added.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing
Connect with us: