TABC Public Intoxication Crackdown
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This is the first time TABC has actually started targeting intoxicated patrons while they are still on the bars property. An issue that has some people claiming it is a violation of private property rights. The arrests not only included people who were drunk in bars, but also bartenders who sold alcohol to someone appearing to be drunk, and employees who appeared to be drunk on the premises of a bar or restaurant with a license to sell alcohol said Carolyn Beck, a spokeswoman for the TABC.
In August, 2005, TABC announced it was going to start using both undercover and open operations agents. Shortly after this announcement 36 bars were infiltrated and 30 people arrested in a Dallas suburb for public intoxication. TABC has been the force responsible for enforcing Texas alcoholic beverage code for the past 70 years. "The laws in Texas against public intoxication also apply to bars," Beck said. "Texas has the highest DWI rate in the nation, and we are trying to reduce those rates." In addition, TABC is trying to encourage bartenders to serve customers responsibly TABC feels the majority of why they are having to enforce the code so thoroughly is because "people still think that a bar is place to go get drunk," Beck said. "People can go into bars and have fun with their friends and not become intoxicated to the point whether they may become a danger to themselves or others."
After a TABC agent deems someone is publicly intoxicated they then are able to decide whether or not to cite the person for public intoxication and release them to "a responsible party." Or arrest the person and take them to jail. While one TABC agent is dealing with the drunk patron another agen is taking steps to arrest the employee or employees responsible for selling alcohol to an intoxicated person.
Full story of the Public intoxication stings catch 2,200 in Texas bars from the Houston Chronicle.
