Sheriff's office reports December alcohol enforcement statistics to board

The Alcohol Beverage Board received its regular enforcement report from the Alcohol Enforcement Coordinator and representatives of the Sheriff’s Office and State Police, covering December activity and year‑to‑date totals.

The Sheriff's Office reported 38 DUI arrests in December (37 adults and one juvenile) and a year‑to‑date total of 386 DUI arrests; the State Police reported 25 DUIs for December and a year‑to‑date total of 416, producing a combined 802 DUI/DWI arrests for the year. The sheriff’s statistics recorded eight adults and six juveniles charged with possession of alcoholic beverages by a person under 21 in December (14 total) and 32 controlled‑substance violations (27 adults, 5 juveniles).

Compliance activity included 31 checks of bars and retail establishments in the period, with one compliance violation reported (an open container in a retail area). Alcohol‑related accidents for December numbered five for the sheriff’s office and six for the state police, with year totals of 58 (sheriff) and 46 (state police), and five alcohol‑related fatal accidents handled by the sheriff’s office during the year.

The coordinator told the board officers had attempted compliance operations in the quarter but canceled two planned compliance checks because of staffing or other operational issues (a confidential informant cancellation and a fatal accident investigation). The coordinator said quarterly compliance checks are being rescheduled.

Board members thanked the coordinator for the report and discussed New Year’s Eve activity, which the coordinator said was relatively subdued because of weather.