Excise police make few SB46 arrests

INDIANAPOLIS (WANE) -- Throughout Super Bowl week, Indiana State Excise police officers said they observed very few problems with those attending events in Super Bowl Village, Lucas Oil Stadium or the Convention Center.

According to a report released Monday, excise officers working in plain clothes only issued 218 citations. Super Bowl Host Committee officials said total attendance at the Super Bowl Village during the festivities likely topped 1 million people.

Those officers focused on public safety issues, concentrating their attention on underage drinking, furnishing alcohol to minors, public intoxication, drug use and related violations.

From Jan. 29 through Feb. 5, excise officers made arrests for the following:

120 – Illegal possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages
35 – Juvenile possession of tobacco
18 – Furnishing or providing alcohol to a minor
11 – Possession of false ID
10 – Possession of marijuana
10 – Public intoxication
7 – False informing
2 – Disorderly conduct
2 – Minor in tavern
1 – Resisting law enforcement
1 – Sale of alcoholic beverages without permit
1 – Furnishing tobacco to a juvenile

“State Excise Police officers focused on enhancing public safety during Super Bowl week and the game,” Superintendent Matt Strittmatter said. “The officers kept their focus in order to make certain the Super Bowl festivities were safe and enjoyable for Indiana citizens and visitors from across the country.”

Indiana State Excise Police officers are the enforcement division of the Indiana Alcohol & Tobacco Commission. While excise officers have the authority to enforce any state law, they focus primarily on enforcing Indiana’s alcohol and tobacco statutes.