Link (has video of the story)
It's come on the news again tonight. Link
Local law officials and the TABC have been placing undercover officers in bars to monitor the patrons. In one night, 30 people were arrested for public intoxication whilst in a bar. The law officials say this is to help decrease the DWI (Drinking While Intoxicated) incidents.
This makes me absolutely livid, especially after some more information was reported tonight. Apparently some of the arrested individuals were arrested in a hotel bar and they were actually staying at that hotel which means they were more than likely NOT going to be doing any driving. I'd be willing to bet that they took advantage of the fact they didn't have to drive and drank more because they could.
The law officials say going out and having some drinks isn't a problem, but they will arrest you if you are dangerous to others. Now when I watched the video, I saw people who could walk themselves about without stumbling, could talk easily, weren't being violent...just normal people out having a fun time. It aggravates me so much that these people were arrested before actually doing anything bad. Unfortunately under Texas law, public intoxication is illegal, but I think arresting people in a bar is going too far. According to the law officials I would get arrested if I went out with my husband and got drunk even though he would have been my designated driver. How absolutely absurd!
To me, this really does seems like arresting someone before they commit a crime since the law officials are doing this to curb DWI rates. If they wanted to do this, they need to arrest people who were actually going to drive. They should put the undercover officers in the bar to monitor people and radio officers outside whenever an enebriated person exits the bar. Once the person starts his or her car and actually starts to drive it, then arrest the person.
This just seems like prohibition going too far.
People should have the right to get drunk as long as they don't hurt someone else.
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