Officers crack down on underage drinking

Have a beer?

You’d better not if you are on the Kansas University campus. If you are off campus, then you’d better be 21. In Kansas, it’s the law.

On campus it doesn’t matter how old you are; the general rule is selling and drinking alcoholic beverages is forbidden.

There are exceptions. The chancellor can designate a specific site to allow alcohol for certain social functions. During football season, alcohol can be consumed in certain designated areas on game days, but no alcohol is sold or allowed in Memorial Stadium.

KU Public Safety officers, as well as agents from the Kansas Department of Revenue’s Alcohol Beverage Control office, closely watch football game tailgaters to make sure everybody follows the rules. Compliance with the tailgating rules has improved, officers said.

In 2003, four people were arrested for driving while intoxicated, according to public safety statistics. That was a slight increase over two arrests the previous year. There were no arrests, however, for public drunkenness, and one person has been arrested for that during the past five years, data showed.

Under KU policy, any student or employee found to be possessing or consuming alcohol on campus is subject to disciplinary action.

Employees could be fired. Students will be subject to sanctions that include completion of an approved drug or alcohol rehabilitation program, disciplinary warning, probation, suspension or expulsion from the university.

Someone violating the dry campus laws could face punishments set down by the state and city ordinances.

Consuming or possessing alcohol on campus is a misdemeanor, but could result in a maximum penalty for first offenders that includes a month in jail and a $500 fine, alcohol education and a 30-day driver’s license suspension.

A third conviction is a felony and could result in a year in state prison and a $2,500 fine as well as other penalties.

It is also illegal in Kansas to drive while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. The state considers you legally drunk if your breath or blood alcohol content measures .08 or more.

Alcohol Beverage Control agents periodically sweep into Lawrence unexpectedly to check on bars and clubs to make sure no sales are being made to youths under 21 years old. Even some private neighborhood parties are watched.

If Alcohol Beverage Control or police find a minor is able to buy liquor or beer from a liquor store or grocery store, the minor will be given a notice to appear in court on a certain date.

Within 30 days of the minor getting a ticket, a bar or store will be sent a copy of the minor’s notice to appear and ultimately when an investigation is completed the business will get a citation. Fines are possible.