Local News

Three More MIP’s Over Weekend

Sep 06, 2013

The Omak Police Department continues to enforce underage drinking laws. Early Sunday morning three juveniles were stopped on Omak Ave and questioned by Omak Police. Two juvenile males and one juvenile female, who range in age from 14 to 17 years old, were cited for being a Minor in Possession.

Breathalyzer tests confirmed that the juveniles had been drinking above and beyond the legal adult limit, but a minor doesn’t have to actually be in possession of alcohol to be cited for a Minor in Possession. If an Officer sees that a minor is exhibiting the signs of consuming alcohol like odor of alcohol on their breath, glossy eyes, slurred speech, and/or loss of balance they can and will cite a minor with Minor in Possession. The three juveniles now face a loss of their driver’s licenses for up to a year, time in juvenile detention, and fines.

An investigation is on going to find out how the juveniles obtained the alcohol they consumed. A reminder to adults those found to be providing alcohol to a minor “Under 21” face $5000 in fines and up to a year in jail.

As you heard yesterday on our Openline discussion, a recent community survey shows that 9 out of 10 Omak area residents don’t approved of underage drinking, so if you suspect someone is providing alcohol to minors please do your part by calling 911 to report it.