Police Arrest Underage Drinkers At Frontier Park

Cheyenne Police arrested 17 people for underage drinking violations at Frontier Park on July 17, the first night of Cheyenne Frontier Days.

In comparison, last year there were 30 total underage drinking arrests for all of CFD. Cheyenne Police have dedicated more officers at the park for liquor enforcement this year due to reports of more widespread and worse underage drinking at the event, according to police spokesman Kevin Malatesta.

Last year the average breath alcohol content for those arrested was a .14, almost twice the legal limit for an adult. This is up from a .11 average in 2012 and a .12 average in 2013. "People should know that their chances of being caught this year for underage drinking are high." Chief Brian Kozak said, "We want our youth to have a safe and fun time at CFD; thus, we hope our emphasized enforcement will prevent injuries due to poor choices caused by alcohol consumption".

This is the reason the police department instituted an amnesty program. Those who report a medical emergency due to over consumption to the police or the paramedics will not be charged with underage drinking. Malatesta says the first priority of the police department is to help our youth.

No one used the amnesty program during the first night.

The extra officers at the park are also tasked with arresting those who become too intoxicated with the goal of maintaining a family friendly environment. The Cheyenne Police Department did not conduct any undercover compliance checks on those who were selling alcohol at the park during the first night of operations.

However, this is planned during the week, according to Malatesta

He says the police will  also be watching alcohol servers to insure they do not sell beer to people who are obviously drunk. Those who do will be cited and risk a $750 fine.

The sale of alcoholic beverages has also been limited to two beverages per purchase at Frontier Park.