Hingham Police Looking to Crack Down on Underage Drinking

The were awarded a $5,000 grant to crack down on underage drinking.

The grant is funded through the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security and will be put to use for use from March through September 30.

According to the Hingham Police Department, the applied for the grant in January and was one of 31 towns selected statewide to receive it.

Hingham Police are looking to make the town safer after a recent study showed that Hingham teens have been exposed to alcohol.   In a study conducted earlier this school year, 26 percent of freshman and juniors from stated they had attended a party within the last three months where alcohol was served with an adult’s knowledge.

The number of arrests for minors in possession/transporting alcohol arrested in Hingham has also increased.  According to police, in 2011 there were 43 arrests compared to 23 in 2010.

Police also said the number of minors arrested for operating under the influence of alcohol in Hingham increased 50 percent in 2011 over 2010 (4 in 2011 and 2 in 2010).

Police said the grant would be used for officers to conduct efforts such as underage alcohol stings and compliance checks in businesses, cops in shops, party patrols, and surveillance patrols. Also, public education regarding the social host law will be conducted during grant.