Cop's party-pooper message taking hold

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The lights are turned on with revelers being told to go home as Albuquerque police make a big impact on underage parties in the city.

There are fewer minor mixers these days because officers have hit the streets in strength over the last two years busting boozers and out-of-control parties, according to the Albuquerque Police Department.

The potential presence of the party patrol even has some would-be underage partiers staying home.

Logan Romero and Justin Davis are ready for their first year in college and will be attending the University of New Mexico this fall.

While some students picture spending their first semester partying it up, Romero and Davis think about staying home because they have heard of the party patrol.

“It's a lot of thinking beforehand about going because there could be that possibility that somebody is serving something illegal over there," Romero said. "And that will definitely keep us from going."

The numbers show Romero and Davis are not alone, according to APD spokesman John Walsh.

"It's apparent that they are getting the message because we are having fewer and fewer infractions of the law," he said.

The special police unit responds to underage, loud or out-of-control parties and has written nearly 1,300 fewer citations this year than in 2007.

While the paperwork is down, the police department is still heavily pursuing underage drinking. Yet while the party poopers are persuading Romero and Davis, others say it's not enough to keep them away.

Benjamin Chavez said he has gone to underage alcohol parties but added his friends make deals to not drink and drive and do other things to keep from getting caught by the cops.

“As long as you keep the music down and don't bother anybody no one is really too worried about underage drinking.” Chavez said.

Even knowing the tricks of the trade, Romero and Davis said they don't think the cops are backing off from busting bashes anytime soon.

“I think they are finding what’s working and they are going to keep with it," Davis said.

Police also said they are worried underage drinking can lead to crimes of violence and drunken driving.

Last December a 14-year-old girl died after being shot by a 19-year-old man while attending an underage drinking party. The man pulled a gun and shot the girl for making a joke about his name, witnesses told police. The man and the homeowner were both arrested.

Police said they're still seeing parties being hosted by adults for teens. Any adult caught serving or selling alcohol to a minor faces a fourth-degree felony.