Local Senator Backs Bill to Increase Drinking-Related Fines

Sen. Andy Dinniman (D-19), who represents Trappe Borough and Upper Providence Township, spearheaded a bill to increase the fines for underage drinking and public drunkenness.

S.B. 941, which was authored by Sen. Jake Corman and passed the senate with a 46-2 vote on Oct. 17, increased the fine for a first underage drinking or public drunkenness from $300 to $500, and the fine for a second and subsequent offenses from $500 to $1,000.

Dinniman, who also represents the borough of West Chester, believes that the extra fine will balance the strain that alcohol-fueled crimes have on local police departments.

“West Chester Borough officials have consistently said increases in alcohol-fueled misbehavior and crimes have strained their police department, which in turn has strained the local budget and taxpayers,” Dinniman said on his website. “West Chester’s taxpayers should not have to shoulder extra costs due to the actions of those who abuse alcohol and decrease our quality of life through nuisance crimes. It should be the perpetrators themselves who pay, and that’s what this bill helps do.”

“Just as importantly, I hope the possibility of a $500 or $1,000 fine serves as a deterrent and stops some from drinking illegally and from overconsuming in the first place,” Dinniman added.

The fines for public drunkenness were last increased in 1972.