Police Presence

[justcynn]

We parked in west of the Student Lot, holy crap the police were active- wrote at least 3 tickets for underage to people that were tailgaiting with their parents - $330 ticket? Sheriff crews, Ames PD and maybe even ISU PD all working separately.

My have things have changed in the last 15 years. I get the you have to follow the law and all - but seriously? let the kids have some fun, those that were writing the tickets almost certainly did when they were their age. I am not advocating some of the activity that happens and I understand they have to maintain control, but these kids around us were not doing anything to call attention to themselves

 

[Al_4_State]

Over zealous police activity generally bothers me, but I have zero problem with this. An MIP while tailgating is almost an ISU rite of passage. I got one as a freshman, and quickly learned how to discretely drink underage while tailgating, and not get in any trouble.

 

[ZCyclone]

I was somewhat put off by the bike patrols that rolled their bikes right through the middle of tailgating. Yes, you're the police, but that doesn't mean you can't go around a group instead of cutting through and glaring at everyone like they purposefully made your route difficult

 

[alarson]

Yeah, at very least it should be ok when parents are there.

21 is a dumb law anyways, one of the highest in the world (most are 16 or 18- and look at the countries that are 21 and see which one doesnt belong)

 

[bellzisu]

I will agree the police were tight yesterday. The cops on bikes are just plain rude. The people with the dogs beside us got their id's checked about 5 different times yesterday. But they did have a couple younger looking people drinking from 40 oz bottles.

I had 3 MIPs tailgating in college... At the time in 1999-2003 they were $115 so still a chunk of change. Thank God they only counted 1 against me on my record and not all 3.

I agree the cops need to lighten up, but it's all fun and games until someone gets behind the wheel drunk and kills someone. Either of age or underage. Remember it was just 2007 the car full of Dsm young adults wrecked their car leaving the ISU vs Iowa game killing all inside.

 

[Al_4_State]

I will agree the police were tight yesterday. The cops on bikes are just plain rude. The people with the dogs beside us got their id's checked about 5 different times yesterday. But they did have a couple younger looking people drinking from 40 oz bottles.

I had 3 MIPs tailgating in college... At the time in 1999-2003 they were $115 so still a chunk of change. Thank God they only counted 1 against me on my record and not all 3.

I agree the cops need to lighten up, but it's all fun and games until someone gets behind the wheel drunk and kills someone. Either of age or underage. Remember it was just 2007 the car full of Dsm young adults wrecked their car leaving the ISU vs Iowa game killing all inside.

I would be willing to bet that an extremely high % of people drinking underage at any given ISU football game are not going very far after the tailgate.

 

[Al_4_State]

Best way to avoid minors while tailgating at ISU (besides not drinking):

-If it was a morning game, I'd always buy a big jug of OJ, a handle of vodka, and a bottle of Tropicana. I'd just mix screwdrivers in that, and it was no problem.

-Stuff beer in your pants/shorts/jacket, and go take them into the porta pots. Just chug the beer in the porta pot, and leave your empty in there.

-Whiskey/cokes in a Coke bottle. Just make sure you mix them ahead of time. Same with Gatorade/vodka.

And always remember to never try and hide when you see a cop. If you act like you're supposed to be there, they'll leave you alone.

 

[bellzisu]

I would be willing to bet that an extremely high % of people drinking underage at any given ISU football game are not going very far after the tailgate.

Yeah... You're right about that. But it only takes 1... Remember the people putting the buses in their and trucks that people tailgate out of have to drive. Doesn't take much to run over a pedestrian walking while not paying attention or drunk.

 

[alarson]

Yeah... You're right about that. But it only takes 1... Remember the people putting the buses in their and trucks that people tailgate out of have to drive. Doesn't take much to run over a pedestrian walking while not paying attention or drunk.

Yeah, but that has nothing to do with being under 21. One can be 22 or 30 and still be dumb enough to do that.

 

[bellzisu]

Yeah, but that has nothing to do with being under 21. One can be 22 or 30 and still be dumb enough to do that.

Yeah I know... It can happen to anyone. I'm guessing Saturdays = cash grab for Ames with MIP tickets.

Just saying.

 

[alarson]

Yeah I know... It can happen to anyone. I'm guessing Saturdays = cash grab for Ames with MIP tickets.

Just saying.

yup, pretty much.

 

[brianhos]

Don't break the law and you will not have any issue with the cops. I have never had a problem at an ISU game.

 

[ISUAlum2002]

Don't drink while underage and there won't be problems. Not sure why people think the law doesn't apply just because its happening in large numbers outside. Yes, the law sucks and the drinking age is higher than it should be, but everyone knows the law and the consequences. If drinking is a must for you and you're underage, go to a friend's place, stay at your apartment and do it, etc. etc.

 

[sodakjoe]

I think it's a simple matter that if you're breaking the law, you'd better be prepared to accept the consequences if you get caught.

 

[bellzisu]

Come on you self righteous people.... Minors are young people that have rights too.. Remember we were that age at one time too...

 

[Cyfan1843]

Don't drink while underage and there won't be problems. Not sure why people think the law doesn't apply just because its happening in large numbers outside. Yes, the law sucks and the drinking age is higher than it should be, but everyone knows the law and the consequences. If drinking is a must for you and you're underage, go to a friend's place, stay at your apartment and do it, etc. etc.

I bet you never drank when you were uder age:yes:

I was in the B lots and never saw a cop they must have focused on the student lots I know Ames is looking for some more $ to spend

 

[Frak]

Best way to avoid minors while tailgating at ISU (besides not drinking):

-If it was a morning game, I'd always buy a big jug of OJ, a handle of vodka, and a bottle of Tropicana. I'd just mix screwdrivers in that, and it was no problem.

-Stuff beer in your pants/shorts/jacket, and go take them into the porta pots. Just chug the beer in the porta pot, and leave your empty in there.

-Whiskey/cokes in a Coke bottle. Just make sure you mix them ahead of time. Same with Gatorade/vodka.

And always remember to never try and hide when you see a cop. If you act like you're supposed to be there, they'll leave you alone.

Exactly. I always mixed BV in Pepsi bottles. Made a bunch the night before and had them in the cooler. If they don't see you drinking and you don't do anything stupid, you won't get caught. I do think the "don't drink if you are underage, it's against the law" folks are either old or lame. I like to see the students having fun both before and during the game. Give them a good experience and they're likely to be future donors to the AD.

I will say that the student section is a lot more vocal and into the game than they were when I was a student 10 years ago.

 

[justcynn]

I am not sure about the whole idea of drinking discretely and you won't get caught - the sherriff group watched our area from behind the porta-johns presumably watching the ones that were drinking "discretely" came out and wrote tickets. Now I get the idea that don't break the law and you won't get caught, but things have definitely changed from what I recall being a student, back then they would allow everyone to get drunk and then put on their riot gear to break up the result - maybe the new tactics are better, was just surpised is all.

 

[DurangoCy]

yup, pretty much.

It's the biggest Easter Egg Hunt ever. Now that every city in the country is broke; it doesn't sound like any of the police depts are worried about looking like a-holes.

 

[hawkeyeh8r]

just gonna throw this random fact out there. While Ames does receive money from tickets (speeding, MIPs, etc), the ISU police receive no money from any of the tickets that they write. All of their money goes to the Ames school district. so just think of your MIP or public intox ticket as a way of helping the children