Public intoxication stings catch 2,200 in Texas bars

chron.com ^ | 3/23/06 | Anne Marie Kilday

[takenoprisoner]

More than 2,200 people have been arrested in Texas bars in the six months since the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission announced a crackdown on public intoxication, primarily targeting bars.

The arrests included people who were drunk in bars, who sold alcohol to a drunk person, or a drunk employee on the premises of a bar or restaurant with a license to sell alcohol, said Carolyn Beck, a spokeswoman for the TABC.

The commission has been responsible for enforcing the state's alcoholic beverage code for the past 70 years. In August, 2005, the agency announced it was beginning a crackdown on public intoxication, using both undercover and open operations.

The agency has used undercover agents before, Beck said. In a recent operation, agents infiltrated 36 bars in a Dallas suburb and arrested 30 people for public intoxication.

[Junior_G]

Between this and the smoking bans, I have developed a true hatred for the nanny-staters. Freedom is precious, yet we now have so-called conservatives cheerleading for the erosion of freedom after freedom..."for the children" of course.

[TRY ONE]

Private Clubs?

For $1 anyone can join --- then it ain't public intoxication anymore!

[Texas Mom]

I always wondered why the police don't just wait outside the bars at closing time, then nab the drunk drivers as they drive out of the parking lot. No brainer. Maybe because some defense attorney will argue entrapment? Who knows? Any DUI/DWI attorneys out there?

This is nothing new. The laws have been on the books for years and years. It's been against the law to serve a drink to an obviously intoxicated person. Bartenders and bar owners have been sued by people who have been injured by a drunk driver for serving them when they were obviously impaired. The same with liquor store owners.

If people want to get falling down drunk, drink at home and go to bed.

[small voice in the wilderness]

Arrested for being drunk in a bar?? The ugly women are going to be up in arms about this. Closing time rules are for the loaded, not the sober.

[Emmet Fitzhume]

Took the words out of my mouth.

The problem herein is that Texan law enforcement is evidently messed up.

A border-hopping OTM from Algeria is truly more dangerous than a cattle rancher or stockbroker sipping tequila after sundown.

These arrests are preposterous.

Who has the petition or email for me to sign?

[Arrowhead1952]

Texas is, excuse me, used to be a place where you measured distance by the six pack.

Still is, but you just have to conceal the beer. A large Sonic drink cup with the straw in the center of the top works great. It will even hold a 16 ounce beer.

[Texas Mom]

Drunk driving should and is illegal. Drinking in a bar is not.

But getting drunk is and has been for a long time.

[Old_Mil]

2,200 people? You've got to be kidding me.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

Freedom under law, my dear. Obviously Texas has a public intoxication law. There is nothing unreasonable about that. I believe you can live quite free without being stumbling drunk in public.

Freedom abused by licentiousness is eventually freedom lost.

[Old_Mil]

Are you going to sleep in the bar or drive home? Get them in the bar before they head home.

The other two options, of course, are to take a cab or use a designated driver which many responsible people do.

[oyez]

First they try prevent people from drinking by going after drunk divers. That wasn't effective enough, so now they are going to the bar in order to prevent drunks. What next?

[Graycliff]

Don't get drunk in public and you don't have to worry about it.

[SheLion]

.....

[Junior_G]

If people want to get falling down drunk, drink at home and go to bed.

Presumably, you would support those people being arrested at home as well if they had a car in the garage that they could potentially drive in? In order to prevent the possibility of drunk driving deaths?

[Graycliff]

Thats what i would like to see.

[Jack Wilson]

shooting fish in a barrel?

[Just A Nobody]

PLEASE ..... NO MORE COMMENTS ... I AM SORRY

I made a knee-jerk comment on the headline. I DID NOT read the article. I had JUST found out about this outstanding young man and was sobbing when I posted.

I promise it will never happen again. For those of you that pray, please pray for Gavin. They are not giving his FReeper mom much hope. Thank you for your consideration.

[Junior_G]

I believe you can live quite free without being stumbling drunk in public.

This conversation isn't even about being blind, stumbling drunk in public. This is about people being arrested in bars after having 3 or more beers, which you seem to be completely happy with.

[Texas Mom]

Well, by your rational maybe we should just shut all the bars down, is that what you would like to see?

No, but would like to see people drink responsibly and not put other people lives in danger.

Having a couple drinks and some fun is fine but what they are talking about are the ones that don't know when to quit.

I have seen too much heartache caused by alcohol and have experienced it myself to have much sympathy for people who can't handle their booze or the consequences of their actions.

[Swordfished]

"I'm from the government, I'm here to help"...be your mommy.

this story is sickening. meanwhile out here in Commiville:

Strictest US Anti-Smoking Ban Now in Effect in California Town