STATE COLLEGE — Officials from Pennsylvania communities that universities call home voiced support Monday for state Senate bills that would raise fines for alcohol-related violations to help defray costs of policing or preventing growing problems related to alcohol abuse around campuses.

Leaders from State College, Indiana and West Chester said at a Senate Majority Police Committee hearing that they've had to pour more money and resources into dealing with alcohol-related violations or prevention programs. They relayed concerns of homeowners near campuses worried about drunken behavior and other quality-of-life issues.

Residents "see the perpetrators pay minimal fines and resume the same behavior. Police are handcuffed," said Ronald Filippelli, borough council president in State College, home to Penn State University's main campus. "And residents believe that the university does not impose sufficiently heavy penalties to act as a deterrent."

Filippelli and other witnesses urged passage of three bills sponsored by Sen. Jake Corman, R-Centre, who hoped the initiatives would deter repeat offenses and provide funding for programs aimed at preventing problems.

One proposal would raise the maximum fine for someone charged with an alcohol-related offense. Currently, a person convicted of underage drinking for the first time would face up to a $300 fine and a repeat offender could be fined up to $500.

Corman's bill would increase the fine for all offenses to a maximum of $1,000. The maximum fine for a summary offense of public drunkenness would similarly be increased to $1,000.