More than 350 Tailgaters Arrested for Underage Drinking

While teams battle it out on the field, agents arrest those drinking in the parking lot who are underage.

This weekend, Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco agents were right there with the tailgaters who arrived in droves at the Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee for the rivalry game between the Florida State University and University of Florida.

While fans surrounded the stadium as early as 10:30 a.m. to begin tailgating festivities, ABT agents patrolled the area to keep alcohol out of the hands of the underage. So far this season, ABT agents have arrested more than 350 people for underage drinking throughout the state. Preventing underage drinking is one of the Division’s top priorities.

The two rivals battled it out on the gridiron this past weekend. Florida State University and the University of Florida’s end-of-the-season match-up is a timeless tradition for the universities. It is also a tradition for underage people to drink. ABT agents arrested a total of 22 people for possession of alcoholic beverages by underage persons during the pre-game.

Enforcement is just one part of the three-tier plan agents use to combat underage drinking. The other two components are education and prevention. One prevention effort is Tailgaters Urging Responsibility & Fun or TURF. ABT partnered with Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America, the Charmer Sunbelt Group, and legendary NFL football player Joe Theismann.  This initiative aims to positively impact the game environment for everyone with tips for a successful celebration, responsible alcohol consumption reminders and actionable steps each and every fan can take to ensure that the game, and the tradition of tailgating, is preserved.