Officers cracking down on alcohol at upcoming football games
Big crowds are expected for this weekend's game at the Jones. Alcohol can get people into trouble at the games and sometimes for reasons that aren't so obvious. KAMC's Meredith Hillgartner explains.
-->By: Meredith Hillgartner
Updated: October 3, 2012
"I handed it to her so I could put a jacket on," the former student said. "As soon as I handed it to her I got arrested."
Trouble one former student knows all to well.
The student who asked not to be identified was arrested in 2011 at Jones Stadium for handing his drink to his girlfriend, who at the time was twenty years old.
The man was arrested for failure to identify and for making alcohol available to a minor.
"Having gone to Tech for four years," student said. "I had seen this happen before and most of the time, it was just check my ID, make sure I am of age and pour out your beer and go into the game."
But a problem with alcohol on game days is nothing new for the university.
In recent years Texas Tech police department reported at least 20 arrests per game, all related to alcohol.
Texas Tech Assistant Chief of Police Kenny Evans said the goal of the police department is to ensure a safe and fun game day, but it also means having to monitor what people do with alcohol.
"State laws underage drinking were out looking for that," Evans said. "If people have become intoxicated driving, public intoxication were looking at and we'll enforce the state alcohol laws."
Since his arrest the man's charges have been expunged from his record. He had to take an alcohol education class and complete 50 hours of community service.
His advice for staying out of trouble on game day is to know the rules.
"Be educated," student said. "Because something that I have always thought and something I just assumed on game day its ok. It doesn't take somebody to be belligerently drunk. I was perfectly sober and I still got arrested for an alcohol offense."
