Mansfield Police Awarded Grant to Combat Underage Drinking

The Mansfield Police announced last week that they have received one of 38 grants from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. The grant program, which totalled $280,000 statewide, is designed to help local police departments deal with and curb underage drinking. The program is funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and awarded between $5,000-$15,000 based on the size of the community.

The grant program will help fund a variety of different law enforcement techniques, including stings, added compliance checks in local bars and restaurants, reverse stings and party patrols. Through these actions, the Mansfield Police Department will be able to both crack down on underage citizens obtaining alcohol and those people and businesses who allow, through direct action or inaction, minors to do so.

"There are many tools to combat underage drinking and this grant provides much need funds to target the problem," Mansfield Police Chief Arthur O'Neill said in a press release. "Whether you are underage, plan to sell to a minor or buy alcohol for a minor, we will be on the lookout."

In 2010, Mansfield Police reported that they placed 602 minors in custody for alcohol violations; either because they were illegally drinking or because they were proving a danger to themselves because of their consumption. The department added that this is a 12 percent increase since 2009.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 33 percent of 15-20 year-old drivers that were killed in 2009 due to crashes had a blood-alcohol level of .1 percent or higher.

"Teens and parents need to be reminded that underage drinking is deadly serious," O'Neill stated. "Parents need to know that hosting a party where alcohol is served to minors is not only illegal, but is extremely dangerous to their teens, others in the community and for the parents themselves; given the legal liabilities they face."