The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

August 22, 2008

Twenty cited for underage drinking

Police on higher alert now that students are back

By Dan Nienaber

MANKATO — Twenty people cited for underage drinking around the Minnesota State University campus Thursday night face the usual stiff fines, plus some new university sanctions if they happen to be students.

Thursday was the first night of what the Mankato Department of Public Safety is dubbing CAPS or Campus Area Patrol Saturation. A total of 15 people were cited for underage drinking through that effort. Some of those people also were cited for disorderly conduct, providing false information to a police officer and underage possession.

Five more people were cited for underage drinking near campus by police officers on routine patrol.

“We are trying to set the tone that we want kids to be safe,” said Cmdr. Amy Vokal. “We’re setting the tone that underage drinking is not taken lightly.”

The same message will be coming through MSU channels, said Jerry Huettl, Department of Public Safety director. Students receiving their first underage drinking citation, even if it’s off campus, face an additional $50 fee assessment through the university and mandatory attendance at a drinking-education class.

A more intense education program will be required for students who receive a second citation, and the fee increases to $100, Huettl said. Students with a third violation face possible expulsion.

“We’re anxious to see how that works and we’re very, very pleased (the university) has decided to take that approach,” Huettl said. “We’ve been asking for that approach for a long time.”

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