Bars and police increase enforcement
for Siblings Weekend
Champaign police getting ready to deal
with underage bar-goers
Although bad weather and last year's more
publicized police presence might deter some underage visitors from
going to the bars this Siblings Weekend, Champaign police will make
extra efforts to make sure young brothers and sisters are partying
responsibly.
"We've always added to our bar checks," said Sgt. Scott Friedlein,
Champaign's liquor enforcement officer. "And we're going to keep an
extra eye out for private parties with the younger-than-young ...
We're cops — we're sneaky."
Visiting siblings will have to be sneaky, too, if they plan to use
false IDs to get into campus bars this weekend. Some bars, such as
Kam's, 618 E. Daniel St., Champaign, have cameras at the door to ensure
that no one underage gets in.
Kam's owner Eric Meyer said that in addition to its normal measures
to keep underage patrons out, Kam's will have extra doormen to regulate
entry into the bar.
"We're pretty awful tight at the door anyway," Meyer said of Kam's
entry policy. "Anyone that comes in with a false ID will be shut down
at the door."
Although Kam's allows children to enter the bar with their parents,
Meyer said no one younger than 19 will step into Kam's this weekend.
"We're keeping a more watchful eye," Meyer said.
Despite the extra watch, Champaign police made 58 arrests last year
on Siblings Weekend — a significantly smaller number than the estimated
109 arrests made the previous year.
Friedlein attributed the decline to more publicized police action
last year. He said the bars were unusually empty last Siblings Weekend,
but he expects them to be slightly more full this year.
"Every weekend is different," Friedlein said, "but this weekend will
probably be a little busier (than last Siblings Weekend). The football
game may be a factor."
Friedlein encouraged University students to bring their siblings to
the football game and to other non-alcohol-related activities as alternatives
to the bar and party scene.
"There's a lot of things you can do — you just have to put effort
into it," Friedlein said. "Show 'em everything but the bars."
Meyer also suggested alternative activities for students to do with
their siblings.
"Go to a movie, go to dinner, go to a concert," Meyer said. "It would
be a wise choice to avoid the bars. I don't want young people even
trying to get in over at our place."
Friedlein also said he hopes underage siblings do not try to get into
the bars.
"The less the amount of arrests I have, the happier I'm going to be,"
Friedlein said.
Related DI Stories
Arrests
decrease for sibs (09/27/99)
Police,
bars prepare for UI siblings (09/24/99)
Related Links
UIUC
Safety - Alcohol and Other Drugs |
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