Texas arresting people in bars for being drunk

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Updated: 7:12 p.m. ET March 22, 2006

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Texas has begun sending undercover agents into bars to arrest drinkers for being drunk, a spokeswoman for the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission said on Wednesday.

The first sting operation was conducted recently in a Dallas suburb where agents infiltrated 36 bars and arrested 30 people for public intoxication, said the commission’s Carolyn Beck.

Being in a bar does not exempt one from the state laws against public drunkenness, Beck said.

The goal, she said, was to detain drunks before they leave a bar and go do something dangerous like drive a car.

“We feel that the only way we’re going to get at the drunk driving problem and the problem of people hurting each other while drunk is by crackdowns like this,” she said.

“There are a lot of dangerous and stupid things people do when they’re intoxicated, other than get behind the wheel of a car,” Beck said. “People walk out into traffic and get run over, people jump off of balconies trying to reach a swimming pool and miss.”

She said the sting operations would continue throughout the state.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11965237/

[Jenn! 918]

Why even go to a bar if not to get drunk????

[Mirorgate 0]

Pre-Emptive PWNAGE!

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I read this yesterday: a substantial percentage of those arrested WERE NOT planning to drive after anyway (as these were hotel guests--getting drunk in the bar of THE SAME hotel--can't argue against the right to sleep at the bar after you've paid for a room; whether you should get a refund on the room is a different issue).

Was there some quota system that they had to arrest X number of drunks this month?

[Mirorgate 0]

Why even go to a bar if not to get drunk????

Mmmm... to have a few drinks within reason. Most Bars are far from the house.. drive there sober.. but with your question.... drive away drunk... Chopfcuk thing to do to be sure.

If want/have to get drunk... buy a bottle and take it home.

Edited March 24, 2006 by Mirorgate

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

If you want to be pre-emptive then follow them to their car and arrest them as they put the key in the ignition.

[Jenn! 918]

Why even go to a bar if not to get drunk????

Mmmm... to have a few drinks within reason. Most Bars are far from the house.. drive there sober.. but with your question.... drive away drunk... Chopfcuk thing to do to be sure.

If want/have to get drunk... buy a bottle and take it home.

Did you forget to put your irony sensors on this morning?

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Why even go to a bar if not to get drunk????

Mmmm... to have a few drinks within reason. Most Bars are far from the house.. drive there sober.. but with your question.... drive away drunk... Chopfcuk thing to do to be sure.

If want/have to get drunk... buy a bottle and take it home.

Jenn didn't meantion driving to the bar.

[Sinergy 3]

I thought the point of a bar was to serve liquor, and to buy liquor, and to well drink until you want to drop. Sometimes its just no fun to get plastered at home.

[mercuryroad 0]

Arresting people for getting drunk at the bar........that's kind of like arresting people for swimming in a pool.

[faith 0]

except there are no laws against swimming in a pool.

there are public intoxication laws *shrugs* I think it's stupid that they are doing it in the bars, but they really aren't violating anyone's rights by doing so....

[mercuryroad 0]

except there are no laws against swimming in a pool.

There should be - that sh!t is dangerous!

[Mirorgate 0]

Why even go to a bar if not to get drunk????

Mmmm... to have a few drinks within reason. Most Bars are far from the house.. drive there sober.. but with your question.... drive away drunk... Chopfcuk thing to do to be sure.

If want/have to get drunk... buy a bottle and take it home.

Did you forget to put your irony sensors on this morning?

Nah.. considering schooldays best friend doesn't breathe anymore because of a DD.. it's a bit close to home, so have strong feelings on the issue. And when I go out... I'll 1 maybe 2 then switch to cola so I stay in control of my car.

Jenn didn't meantion driving to the bar.

As above.... but the preemptive... sarcasto-meter seems to be malfunctioning at the mement... will get it fixed soon. Yes, when the key hits the door.. intent to drive under the influence is easier to prove in court... but the article mentions the law on books as "Public Drunkeness" which is a different law entirely. Hell... they still have law on books that any public buildig being build has to have a horse hitch built soon after foundation laid... don't see them upholding that one though do we?

[Sinergy 3]

Soon pulling a wedgy from your ####### in public will get you arrested for public indecency (sp)

[irishgirl73 0]

Guess I won't be visiting Texas anytime soon