New Hanover underage drinking charges 37% of state total

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — February was a big month for catching underage drinkers in New Hanover County. Deputies say there were 58 charges for underage drinking from the sheriff’s office alone; they say that makes up 37% of the total charges in the state.

58 drinking violations in one month may seem like a lot, but according to the sheriff’s office it’s not that there’s an increase in alcohol-related crimes, underage drinkers are just getting caught.

“Well they are high numbers but it’s really going to show the dedication of the detectives,” Lt. Jerry Brewer said.

Deputies say they’re getting caught, even with better-looking fake IDs ordered on the internet.

“It’s really getting in and trying to stop the underage purchasing,” Brewer said. “That’s what this is about. The fake IDs and going to certain convenience stores, going to certain clubs. That’s where we’ve concentrated and the numbers show that it’s been successful.”

Brewer said they’ve also had great support from businesses.

“All my bartenders have taken ALE Sips classes and stuff,” Slainte Irish Pub General Manager Chris Garner said. “They’ve been certified as far as knowing what to look for as far as current IDs and stuff like that. I keep security staff in place where they usually handle everything at the front door.”

“You just gotta make sure everyone is ID-ing everybody and they gotta have the proper identification,” Hell’s Kitchen General Manager Andrew Flynn said. “If they don’t, if you don’t have the proper ID you can’t get served anything.”

The sheriff’s office has four deputies on staff who work almost exclusively with alcohol-related incidents. Their salaries are completely covered by the ABC board and money collected from the sale of alcohol.