OIU Agents Urge Summer Concert Attendees to be Responsible

(Columbus) – This summer, some of the music industry’s best entertainers will be making their way through Ohio’s concert venues – including multi-day music festivals. Agents with the Ohio Department of Pubic Safety’s Ohio Investigative Unit want concert-goers to know – don’t drink if you’re not yet 21, don’t give alcohol to anyone who is under 21 or to anyone who is already intoxicated.

OIU will have agents at many of the concert venues working alongside local law enforcement officials looking for underage drinking, furnishing to underage and public intoxication offenses. Other offenses agents are looking for during concerts include drug-related violations and possession of false identification.

“Our agents want this summer’s concert season to be safe inside the venues and in many of the camping and tailgating areas, as well,” said Enforcement Commander John Campbell. “By following the law, everyone can have a safer and more enjoyable concert experience.”

Anyone convicted of providing or purchasing alcohol to a person under 21 years of age may face a maximum sentence of six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.

If you’re caught with a fake ID or if you have furnished your ID to someone to obtain alcohol, penalties may include six months in jail and/or $1,000 fine. Also, the person furnishing their ID could lose their driver license for a year.

If you are under 21 and are caught driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .02 percent or higher, a level that can be reached after just one or two drinks, you can be arrested. Punishment is suspension of your driver license for at least 90 days up to a maximum of two years, plus four points added to your driving record. Having an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle is also illegal.

Penalties for drug violations depend on the type and the amount of drugs.

By stopping senseless tragedies associated with illegal underage alcohol consumption and public intoxication, we are committing to making a safer Ohio. If you have information about a bar; store or carryout selling beer and/or liquor to persons under the age of 21; or you have information of alcohol violations at a concert venue, please notify the Ohio Investigative Unit by calling #677 on your cell phone and your complaint will be investigated.