Underage drinking will be targeted at colleges in Central PA this fall, police say
By Teresa Boeckel
August 20, 2018
College students, parents and establishments: You have been warned.
This fall, state police and liquor control enforcement officers will be targeting underage drinking in and around college and university campuses in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry and York counties, according to a news release.
State laws will be aggressively enforced, the news release states. Anyone younger than 21 found in possession of alcohol or drinking it will be cited. The first offense carries a fine up to $500 and 90 days in prison. The fine for second or subsequent violations go up to $1,000.
Those convicted of underage drinking, misrepresenting their age to buy alcohol or carrying a false identification card will lose their driving privileges. It’s 90 days for the first offense, one year for a second offense and two years for a third or subsequent offense.
Police also will be targeting those who sell or provide alcohol to people who are underage. This includes parents, the news release states. They can be charged with furnishing alcohol to minors, which is a third-degree misdemeanor that carries a minimum fine of $1,000 and up to one year in prison for a first offense. The fine goes up to $2,500 for a second or subsequent offense.
In addition, authorities will be working with selected campus administrators and law enforcement to reduce underage drinking and alcohol-related problems, the news release states. They will be meeting with many liquor licensees in the area to “promote awareness, improve relations and reinforce” that alcohol should not be sold to minors.