ASU Back-to-School Alcohol Crackdown Nets 392 Arrests

Police in Tempe, Arizona arrested 392 people as part of an alcohol-crime-focused task force last weekend, which not coincidentally kicked off the first weekend of the fall semester for Arizona State University.

The "Safe and Sober" campaign, according to the Tempe Police Department, is a collaborative effort between 18 law-enforcement agencies and is scheduled to last until September 6. The Phoenix New Times reports that of the hundreds arrested, approximately one in three were arrested for DUI.

What can we learn from this ASU alcohol crackdown?

Some 'Arresting' Statistics

While the number of arrests may lead one to believe that this program is something new and unexpected, this is actually the second year of the "Safe and Sober" enforcement campaign. Last year's inaugural instance of the program netted 309 DUI arrests and 1367 arrests in total, spanning three weekends at the beginning of ASU's Fall 2013 semester. This is far more than the 392 total arrested thus far in this year's "Safe and Sober" campaign, but we remind readers that the 2014 run still has two weekends to go.

The New Times reported that comparing this past weekend with that same weekend in 2013, there were actually 21 more arrests in 2014. It's unclear that this suggests that alcohol-related arrests are increasing, and more may become clear once the campaign is concluded. Arizona's Governor's Office of Highway Safety actually reported fewer DUIs in 2013 than in 2012, suggesting that drivers may be wising up.

Whatever the trend, the arrests last weekend included:

• 146 DUI arrests,
• 112 arrests for minors consuming alcohol,
• 35 arrests for minors possessing alcohol, and
• 99 arrests for "other offenses."

Hopefully any increase in alcohol-related arrests also corresponds to increased safety for Arizona's drivers and minors.

Back-to-College Booze Tips

Since ASU's students seem largely clueless to the legal ramification of underage drinking and DUI, despite a combined 18 law-enforcement agencies watching them like hawks, here are some easy-to-remember back-to-college alcohol tips:

• Even if your campus has a lax alcohol policy, know that it is illegal for minors to consume alcohol (unless it's with their parents);
• States like Arizona have extreme and aggravated DUI penalties for drunken driving offenses with minors in the vehicle; and
• Most college campuses have free shuttles or "safe ride" services, so use them.

Try to start this semester without having to call a DUI lawyer.

Related Resources:

• Tempe apartment residents throw beer bottles at police (The Arizona Republic)
• MIP: 3 Things to do After a Minor in Possession (FindLaw's Blotter (FindLaw's Blotter)
• 5 Ways Hazing Can Get You Arrested (FindLaw's Blotter)
• 5 Things a DUI Lawyer Can Do (That You Probably Can't) (FindLaw's Blotter)