Texas ABC raids are happening, again

[MasterBates]

AirWarriors,

Just as a heads up for those of you in the Corpus and Kingsville areas, they Alcoholic Beverage Commission is starting up the "Public Intox" raids again.

What is this, you may ask? ABC comes into a bar (public place) and starts arresting people for being drunk in public.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2006-03-31-texas-drinking_x.htm

When I did the indoc brief, the CCPD officer said it was on the books, but ABC was not conducting raids anymore.

They were at the Pelican Lounge (Padre Island in Corpus) last night, arrested a dozen or so people. We got told by the owner as we were standing around our table, "you have 60 seconds to leave or ABC is going to arrest you".

So, we made a tactical retreat back to another Condo...

 

[Brett327]

AirWarriors,

Just as a heads up for those of you in the Corpus and Kingsville areas, they Alcoholic Beverage Commission is starting up the "Public Intox" raids again.

What is this, you may ask? ABC comes into a bar (public place) and starts arresting people for being drunk in public.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2006-03-31-texas-drinking_x.htm

When I did the indoc brief, the CCPD officer said it was on the books, but ABC was not conducting raids anymore.

They were at the Pelican Lounge (Padre Island in Corpus) last night, arrested a dozen or so people. We got told by the owner as we were standing around our table, "you have 60 seconds to leave or ABC is going to arrest you".

So, we made a tactical retreat back to another Condo...

You've got to wonder what their motivation is for that kind of thing. Surely there are more pressing public safety issues in and around CC. If not, perhaps a budgetary "adjustment" is in order. BTW, what is their standard for public intoxication? Must one exhibit gross outward signs, or is mere presence/possession of a beverage sufficient? Someone should get on the horn to the ACLU and tell them that evil conservative Christians are running amok.

Brett

 

[Coota0]

Last year when TABC were doing this in Dallas, half the city threw a fit. I doubt it will last too long, then again state elections are over for a while.

 

[zab1001]

Considering restaurants make most of their money from alcohol sales, I'm sure Brett's "adjustment" will be made soon.

 

[rare21]

The Alcoholic Beverage Commission's job is to enforce liquor violations..so the more pressing issues thing has nothing to do with Corpus PD or any other PD. This is their main job. The Texas Penal code states...that a person commits the offense of public intoxication if they appear in a public place while intoxicated to the degree that the person may endanger the person or another....and that is up to the cop.

 

[Brett327]

The Alcoholic Beverage Commission's job is to enforce liquor violations..so the more pressing issues thing has nothing to do with Corpus PD or any other PD. This is their main job. The Texas Penal code states...that a person commits the offense of public intoxication if they appear in a public place while intoxicated to the degree that the person may endanger the person or another....and that is up to the cop.

One would imagine that there is some supervision and guidance on enforcement and prosecution issues set forth by the state's AG. I would guess that there are some other laws on the books that are enforced in a less agressive manner, like sodomy, co-habitation, etc. Like Zab indicated, the people who stand to lose financially probably have the best leverage on the system to effect change.

"Drunks and restauranteurs of Texas UNITE!"

Brett

 

[zab1001]

Coming from a family in food and beverage...a box of steaks and a case of Dom go a long way...

On topic, LE agencies generally don't up and decide to enforce certain laws moreso than others without guidance from on high. Why crackdown on bar patrons vice illegal sales? Sounds like the good ol' boy network f-ed this one away, whether by oversight or failed "negotiation". I'll be surprised if the policy continues in a state like TX. Someone somewhere will be appeased, the order will come down, and it'll pass.

in the meantime, sucks for everyone.

 

[rare21]

I agree with you Brett, but it hasnt seemed to have worked yet. a PI is one of the rare arrestable Class C misdeamenors..basically a slap on the wrist. I just think the TABC is bored..they're just buying time till spring break.

 

[zab1001]

I just think the TABC is bored..they're just buying time till spring break.

I really hope that's all it is. (great points btw)

 

[MasterBates]

I agree with you Brett, but it hasnt seemed to have worked yet. a PI is one of the rare arrestable Class C misdeamenors..basically a slap on the wrist. I just think the TABC is bored..they're just buying time till spring break.

While it may be a slap on the wrist in Civillian land, I hope that any Studs that get pinched by this are not fvcked for it. Current policy as briefed in the TW-4 checkin briefs was that if you got in trouble in town with alcohol, you, anyone with you, and your "Sober Buddy" (yes, they are required now, just like 5th fleet liberty) are all in trouble together.

Hell, I have wings, and I don't want to have to see my COC about getting arrested for PI.

 

[Rasczak]

AirWarriors,

Just as a heads up for those of you in the Corpus and Kingsville areas, they Alcoholic Beverage Commission is starting up the "Public Intox" raids again.

What is this, you may ask? ABC comes into a bar (public place) and starts arresting people for being drunk in public.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2006-03-31-texas-drinking_x.htm

When I did the indoc brief, the CCPD officer said it was on the books, but ABC was not conducting raids anymore.

They were at the Pelican Lounge (Padre Island in Corpus) last night, arrested a dozen or so people. We got told by the owner as we were standing around our table, "you have 60 seconds to leave or ABC is going to arrest you".

So, we made a tactical retreat back to another Condo...

Take it as an official "Welcome back to Texas".

 

[DanMa1156]

Is public intoxication a big problem in Texas or something? Do these raids happen often in other states? I've so far spent signifigant amounts of time in New York, New Jersey, Maryland (although, I self admittedly have spend my time within 22 miles of USNA) and Texas and Texas is the only place I've heard of this being done. What's the deal?

 

[Rasczak]

It's just as bad as in any other state. People just want to crack down on it a little harder lately for some reason. Maybe it's the influence of politics..
I'll take a trip south of the border for a couple of hours if I don't feel like dealing with crap.

 

[BrandonJ1780]

Brett, don't blame the Christians--I'm one and I'd be drinkin' in there with you. Sounds like what rare21 said; TABC must be feeling a lil rusty, needed to get some practice in before the 'breakers arrive...At least the owner was able to give 'em a heads-up; drunken stampedes suck--unless you're in the lead...

 

[Rasczak]

TABC must be feeling a lil rusty, needed to get some practice in before the 'breakers arrive...At least the owner was able to give 'em a heads-up; drunken stampedes suck--unless you're in the lead...

good call. Didn't think about that. I don't know what's worse though, TX week or spring break.