Underage drinkers cited at Spring Break

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. - It’s that time of year again when our beaches here along the Alabama coast are starting to see a little more activity. That activity is in part due to the warmer weather and sunny days. During this time of year that activity can include time at the beach, basking in the sun and a little rest and relaxation.

But not all the activities enjoyed are legal, that’s where we come in. During the week of April15 –April 23 various Law Enforcement Agencies converge on the Beach area in a joint effort to ensure the safety of the public. This year in particular was Spring Break Holidays for Baldwin & Mobile Counties, along with LSU. With that in mind it is important to remember that Alcohol seems to be an important item for “Spring Breakers”. Alabama ABC Enforcement, Gulf Shores Police, Alabama Juvenile Probation and Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office come together as a united front to ensure that the alcohol consumed during spring break is done so by those who are 21 years of age or older.

This year the ABC board arrested 15 individuals for under age consumption or under age possession of alcohol. Gulf Shores Police arrested 155 for Underage Possession of Alcohol (UPA), and 15 drug cases. The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office arrested 30 subjects for various offenses to include DUI and UPA as well as 167 traffic citations and 141 Written Warnings. Juvenile cases, subject that would be less than 18 years of age, handled by Juvenile probation totaled 35. All of these arrest/cases were during this week alone. Not to include calls made to parents to come pick up their children who may not have been drinking but who were some where other than where their parents thought they were. A large amount of Alcohol was seized and will be destroyed after adjudication of cases. In total there were 2986 12oz Beers seized, 4 Kegs, 153 Liters of various Liquors and 5 gallons of wine. Rough estimates of the dollar amount for the alcohol seized would be nearly $8,000.

It is important that parents know where their children are who they are with and what they are doing. Alcohol impairs the judgment of these young people which can lead to over drinking to the point of Alcohol poisoning. Also the risk of sexual assault increases when alcohol is involved as well as fighting and violent crimes to include assault and battery. In some cases consumption of alcohol can lead to poor judgment to the point of illicit drug use. Some of these arrests included children as young as 14.

Agent Jamie L Maloy
Alabama ABC Enforcement
Baldwin County Field Office