2007 Spring Break Operation Deemed Success by TABC
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) credits a reduction in criminal activity during spring break to partnership efforts between TABC, local businesses, and local law enforcement. TABC staff held two meetings to prepare retailers on the Coast, one with approximately 50 Port Isabel and South Padre Island business owners, and another involving a handful of business owners from Corpus Christi and Port Aransas. Local police officials, TABC agents, and TABC compliance officers talked with these local businesses about illegal sales to minors and intoxicated persons, as well as what to expect from law enforcement during spring break.
“TABC is pleased with the results of this year’s spring break in South Padre Island and Corpus Christi,” says TABC Administrator Alan Steen. “Typically the week with the most activity on the coast coincides with spring break for most of Texas’ colleges and universities. This year, TABC agents handed out fewer criminal citations that week than the same week the previous year. Our agency also received fewer complaints this year, indicating that we have made improvements in our working relationship with business and with college students enjoying their vacation.” The number of criminal citations issued, and the number of complaints filed against TABC employees, has decreased each year for the past three years.
TABC agents focused on the beaches of Corpus Christi, Galveston and South Padre Island to deter the illegal use of alcoholic beverages among individuals enjoying the spring break celebrations. Following on the heels of a statewide minor sting at the beginning of March, agents along the coast conducted random inspections, minor stings and other enforcement operations in an attempt to curb the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages by minors.
In addition to the benefits of working with retailers in advance, TABC and other police agencies felt that it was a slower spring break with a smaller, better-behaved crowd. Local businesses reported a reduction in vandalism, and there were fewer calls for service (requests for police assistance) and fewer arrests. Over the two-week period from March 6-18th, 2007, Agents issued a total of 1919 criminal citations. The majority of those were during “Texas Week.” More than half of the citations issued were for minors in possession of alcoholic beverages.
Through voluntary compliance from retailers, and enhanced enforcement efforts, it is TABC’s hope every year to keep Texas highways safe and ensure that youth return back to school with memories of having a fun and safe spring break. “We want everyone to have fun, but do it safely and within the law,” states Administrator Alan Steen.
Contact: Captain Richard Jauregui in San Antonio at (210) 731-1720