OSU steps up underage drinking enforcement

Friday, October 7, 2011

By Aubrey Raupe

Tailgating has become part of the game day tradition for many people at OSU. With this increase in tailgating activity, the OSU Police Department has noticed an increase in the number of alcohol related arrests and numerous other alcohol related problems. Underage drinking, vandalism and disruption of the game experience  has caused the police department to increase the number of officers on patrol before, during and after games.

The OSU Police Department has brought in a security company this year to help monitor buildings on campus to prevent damages to those buildings.  Along with the additional assistance from the security company, the OSU Police Department has enlisted the help of nearby police departments like the Stillwater Police Department, Sherriff’s Department and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol to help with the game day crowd.  These additional law enforcement agencies are an extension of OSU Police Department on game days and they have the same authority as the OSU Police Department.

Additional police officers, in civilian clothes, have been added to monitor tailgates for underage drinking. These officers were added last year halfway through the season, due to the obvious increase in problems on game days. People who are underage in possession of alcohol will not only be charged, but those who provided the alcohol will receive a penalty also.

 “Over the past several years the amount of consumption, damage and other problems has increased,” Adam Queen, Master Police Officer, said. “If we can work on the issue of the underage drinking, that will help curve the issues that follow.”

Student Conduct and the OSU Police Department are working together to enforce student conduct rules at the games as well.

“If a student is escorted out of the game for alcohol related issues, they are first taken to a member of Student Conduct Office to log their information,” Queen said. “At every game after that, within 10 minutes of their entry into the stadium, they must check-in with a member of Student Conduct and blow into a breathalyzer.”

“If they fail to comply with this policy their tickets will be revoked for the remainder of the season.”

Inside the stadium if there is a problem, fans are encouraged to report the incident to a security officer in their section. There are two officers assigned to each section, and they are available to assist fans with any problems they may have with other fans disrupting their game experience.  These officers are there to help ensure an enjoyable game experience for all fans, without the interference of disruptive fans.

“It’s not a matter of us getting everyone to quit drinking at the tailgates,” Queen said. “It’s a matter of us getting the people who are causing problems to tone it down a little and enjoy the football game.”