A 2012 Illinois youth survey shows the number of Knox County 10th and 12th graders drinking and driving is higher than the state average. According to the report, 10% of 10th graders and 20% of 12th graders report drinking and driving in the past year. The statistics are why Knox County Law Enforcement are training on cracking down on underage drinking. Training instructors say in Knox County the majority of underage drinkers are getting their alcohol at parties.
"Social sources are the predominant way for kids to get alcohol," says Scott Friedlein with the Underage Drinking Enforcement Center, "They either get alcohol through adult friends, friends their age or through party environments."
The "mock party" drill includes 3 scenarios for officers to train on, an outside party with a passed out party goers, a party with alcohol that has a parent present and an indoor party. The approach is more low key, lights and sirens are not involved. Instead, officers walk up to the party and start to question about what is going on.
"The more training you do, the more you're going to think about the situation before you go into it," says Sgt. Lee McCone, "The more guys get involved in the training, they're going to think about exactly what they're going to do when they arrive at the scene."
Galesburg Police, Knox County Sheriff's Deputies, Abingdon Police, Monmouth Police and officials from Monmouth College and Knox College participated in the training exercise.
