Issue date: 10/21/09 Section: News

(Photo Illustration by Sam Sottosanto/Online Editor)

The Charleston Police Department saw an increase in alcohol-related activity during Homecoming weekend that cumulated with the department issuing 44 alcohol-related citations Thursday at a house party along 10th Street.

Deputy Police Chief Dave Chambers said 48 total alcohol-related citations were issued during the weekend - most of them for underage consumption.

"It's a spike," Chambers said of the citations.

He said the department has issued less alcohol citations during recent weekends. Chambers said the trend could be because students are being smarter about consuming alcohol or the university has done a better job of educating students about alcohol.

"I don't think any one person can take credit for it," Chambers said.

For the month of September, the department increased patrols during the weekend in an attempt to curb underage drinking. Chambers said the police presence would now decrease during most weekends, with increases in patrols happening sporadically.

The department issued more than 500 alcohol citations from mid-August to the end of September.

During one house party in September, the department charged 33 students with state violations, including minor consumption of alcohol and minor possession of alcohol.

At that time, Police Chief Bryan Baker said the department charged the students with state violations after they were reluctant to cooperate with the police.

Stephen Di Benedetto can be reached at 581-7942 or sdibenedetto@eiu.edu.

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