Off Campus Drinking Citations Reach New Record In First Weeks Of Class At U.C. Berkeley

BERKELEY (KCBS) -- U.C. Berkeley off-campus drinking citations for the first two weeks of the new school year are at record levels.

551 alcohol citations were issued by Berkeley police over the last two weekends.

"This was the most number of citations and arrests made in the entirety of our 12 years in partnership with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control," Berkeley Police Sergeant Andrew Franco told KCBS.

This year's campaign had 189 officers participating from 14 agencies – more officers than any past year.

"I feel like it is specifically freshmen, because it's like a whole different world compared to high school. So, a lot of these students – they've never drank before – so they don't know what it's like to keep it balanced and know your limit," Cal Senior Monica told KCBS.

A larger law enforcement presence is now in place to deal with the issue.

All freshmen and transfer students are now required to take a 1-hour alcohol education course, and attend a presentation on healthy decision making.