Multiple Penn students were cited for underage drinking as a result of a series of raids on Nov. 3 that targeted bars.
The Division of Public Safety was not involved with the raids, according to DPS spokeswoman Stef Karp.
The state’s Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement made a “minor patrol,” visiting three local bars, Pennsylvania State Police Sergeant Bill La Torre said. Those bars included the Blockley Pourhouse, located at 38th and Chestnut streets, Drinker’s West at 39th and Chestnut streets and Cavanaugh’s Restaurant & Sports Bar at 39th and Sansom streets.
About 40 underage students were cited at Blockley Pourhouse for alleged underage drinking, La Torre said. Among those students were Penn students, as well as students of Drexel and Saint Joseph’s universities, according to Fox 29 News.
Four bartenders at The Blockley Pourhouse were arrested for allegedly serving the underage drinkers, La Torre said. The bar closed for the night but reopened Friday.
“The liquor license owner, the owner of the bar and the bar itself face sanctions against the liquor license,” La Torre said, adding that all three bars visited were found in violation.
Minor patrols are random inspections of “licensed establishments for the illegal sales of alcoholic beverages to minors,” according to the LCE website.
At Drinker’s West, some patrons that were involved in a fight were cited for alleged public drunkenness, according to La Torre. Minors, referring to those between the ages of 18 and 20, who were throwing up in front of Cavanaugh’s were also cited.
The outcomes of the cited students will depend on each individual’s prior history. They will likely face fines or mandatory community service, La Torre said.
“Our policy is to scrupulously check identification for every person that walks through the door,” a statement released by the Blockley Pourhouse said. “No one is allowed into the Blockley without a valid form of identification. Period.”
The statement continued defending Blockley’s image in the face of possible consequences. “It is unfortunate that in spite of our rigorous efforts to combat the rampant use of fake identification, we are still treated as the villain and face severe fines, temporary closing or even a revocation of our liquor license.”
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