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Police agencies join to curb underage drinking Mail Tribune photos / Drew Fleming Officer Greg Halley, above right, a Jackson County sheriff's traffic safety coordinator, talks with Ruch resident Nathan King, holding a beer, and Aaron Robinson, 19, of Medford, at Cantrall-Buckley Park on the Applegate River near Ruch on Friday. Authorities are trying to curb underage drinking by making spot checks for alcohol in ice chests and checking the hot spots for parties and underage drinking in rural areas. Coalition hopes to reduce fights, vandalism By JILL BRISKEY Teens who feel safely hidden from police by drinking and partying in the woods are taking a big gamble. Local police agencies now have an "ACE" up their sleeve and are working together to put a lid on underage drinking and stop out-of-control bashes before they start. In the past, limited resources have made accessing and patrolling rural areas that are popular teenage haunts impossible. Last week, officials from the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, U.S. Forest Service and Jackson and Siskiyou County sheriff departments went a long way toward solving a common dilemma when they formed Alcohol Coalition Enforcement (ACE). According to Greg Halley, Jackson County sheriff's traffic safety coordinator, the coalition focuses on illegal parties in rural areas, alcohol-related traffic accidents, campground safety and alcohol-related behavior such as fighting, littering and vandalism. "It doesn't matter to us, whether it's minors or adults," Halley said. "We're up here to stop trouble before it happens." In addition to a patrol presence, officers will conduct radar checks to nab drunken drivers or minors in possession of alcohol. The Forest Service also will set up checkpoints on federal land - such as Forest Road 1050 near the Applegate area - and seize liquor from minors who have crossed the California state line to avoid Oregon patrols. With proms taking place and high school graduation dates fast approaching, ACE members are also checking out "tips" received about when and where parties will take place. ACE members are targeting sites around Applegate Lake, Tolman Creek, Prospect, Anderson Butte, the Hillcrest area and Agate Lake. "In the past, it's been an issue of resources," OLCC Inspector Rich Miller said, adding that his agency plans to cite minors in possession during the patrols. "Our goal is to prevent minors from acquiring alcohol. Working together, we feel we can make a difference." In order to make a difference, Halley said officers must stop the party before it starts. He added that he would prefer to seize a keg of beer from a group of teens than bust up a party in progress. "I'm not up here to be bashful. We want to make our presence known," he said. "We want to stop the drinking before it happens." ACE members made their first sweep Friday and Saturday by stopping and talking with a total of 110 people. Halley said the focus of their efforts will probably change as the need arises. "This is a feeler. We're not expecting to get a lot of (minors in possession of alcohol) or break up parties our first time out," Halley said. "We'll change our direction as we go along if we see a different need." ACE's patrols will continue every Friday and Saturday night until summer ends, Halley estimates. "We want to do whatever it takes," he said. Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.