State police to crack down on underage drinking on college campuses
The Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement is launching a college initiative for the fall 2025 semester with the intention to crack down on underage drinking around college campuses.
As part of the initiative, the bureau plans to meet with liquor licensees near colleges and universities to promote awareness, improve relations and reinforce their role in preventing alcohol violations. It will also offer educational and enforcement assistance to campus administrators and enforcement authorities to reduce underage drinking.
“State laws regarding the unlawful purchase, possession, consumption or distribution of alcohol will be aggressively enforced,” the bureau said.
The bureau also plans to actively investigate the manufacture and use of fake IDs and says it will target those who furnish alcohol to people under 21 years old, including parents.
“Every effort will be made to identify, arrest and prosecute anyone furnishing alcoholic beverages to persons under 21 years of age,” the bureau said.
Violations for possessing or consuming alcohol by those under 21 years old are summary offenses with a fine up to $500 and/or 90 days in prison for first-time offenses. The fine increases to $1,000 for subsequent violations.
Furnishing alcohol to minors is a third-degree misdemeanor with penalties up to $1,000 per minor and/or up to a year in prison. Fines for subsequent offenses increase to $2,500.
The bureau’s Punxsutawney branch covers Armstrong, Butler, Cameron, Clarion. Clearfield, Elk, Forest, Indiana and Jefferson counties.