CORPUS CHRISTI (Kiii News) -
Starting Tuesday, the Corpus Christi Police Department will begin their crackdown on underage drinkers for the upcoming Spring Break holiday, and they are asking for your help.
In fact, you could get paid cold hard cash if you tip them off to minors who are caught with alcohol. It's a part of a new program.
Kiii News Reporter Bill Churchwell went Live from SPID, where the idea for this new program began.
It started after an accident in June of 2011, which involved an 18 year old who police say was drunk and behind the wheel. He was driving home from a party when he crashed into a van, killing a 46-year old driver.
Officers will be stepping up their patrols on the beach during Spring Break, but they are also counting on the public's eyes as well. Police are encouraging you to call Crime Stoppers to report underage drinking violators. If that call results in enforcement action, you will be paid $250.
"Anyone who sees or knows anything about underage drinking violations, minors passing fake IDs at a bar, if they are at a beach sneaking drinks or someone is hosting a party where there are minors consuming alcohol, we want those people to call to Crime Stoppers at 361-888-8477," said Senior Officer Kirk Stowers of the CCPD.
Because this is a CCPD program, this will only work within Nueces County, so police will only be able to respond to reports on parts of the beach that are in the city limits.
On average, over six teens die each day from alcohol related events. The goal of the program is not for someone to just rat our their friends, but to protect the youth in our community.
