The Role of Law Enforcement in Prevention

As campuses and communities across the country grapple with problems related to unruly house parties, neighborhood disruptions, and alcohol-fueled “celebratory” incidents, they are developing partnerships with law enforcement agencies to implement strategies to reduce such problems and protect the health and safety of students and residents alike.

Enforcement is not necessarily intended to apprehend and punish those who violate the law. The Role of Alcohol Beverage Control Agencies in the Enforcement and Adjudication of Alcohol Laws points out that “enforcement is designed to increase the perceived likelihood that a violation will be detected, which is a key component of deterrence. . . . Deterrence involves three key components: the perceived likelihood that a violation will lead to apprehension, the perceived swiftness with which a penalty will be imposed, and the extent of the penalty.”

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