University of Minnesota Police Crack Down On Drinking To Limit Crime

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - University of Minnesota police say they're cracking down on student drinking in an effort to reduce crime.

The police department has stepped up enforcement efforts of the university's zero tolerance policy on underage drinking.

Police Chief Greg Hestness says many victims were under the influence of alcohol in a string of robberies last year. He says the safety campaign may be criticized for "blaming the victim" but alcohol increases people's vulnerability.

Minneapolis police Inspector Kathy Waite says many crime victims are so intoxicated that they can't help investigators solve the crimes.

Sgt. Jim Nystrom says the department is using plainclothes officers to watch for alcohol violations for the first time. He says officers have issued about 140 citations for underage drinking since the first weekend in September.