CHULA VISTA – On June 6-7, 2015,  California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) agents and Chula Vista police officers conducted enforcement operations during the Brad Paisley and 91X-Fest concerts held at the Sleep Train Amphitheatre. During the Brad Paisley concert,  agents and officers cited/arrested 91 people for charges involving minor in possession of alcohol or furnishing alcohol to a minor.  At the 91X-Fest, 17 people were cited/arrested for minor in possession of alcohol or furnishing alcohol to a minor.

“This is a proactive approach to public safety,” said Kevin Highbaugh, president of California Alcoholic Beverage Control Agents (CABCA).  “Nothing positive comes from underage drinking.  We see alcohol poisoning, fights, accidental injuries, DUIs and fatalities.  It’s best to put a stop to it before any of that occurs.”

According to a Chula Vista Police Department news release, most of the people cited were contacted in the parking lots outside the amphitheatre and ranged in age from 17 to 20-years-old.   All of those arrested were released with a misdemeanor citation or released to their parent/guardian with a pending court date.

As reported by City News Service (CNS)  of the 91 cited/arrested at the Brad Paisley concert, 85 people were busted  for underage drinking, four adults were arrested for furnishing alcohol to minors, and two people under-21 were arrested for possessing fake IDs. 

“ABC agents work these large venues as part of their commitment to keeping the public safe,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.  “The nature of their jobs requires them to work at any given hour on any given day.    They are committed to enforcing California ABC laws and, I am quite certain, have prevented many a tragedies from occurring.”

The penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service. Minors who are convicted of possessing alcohol face a minimum $250 fine and 24 hours of community service.