Six people arrested for alcohol-related crimes in Cape

The St. Patrick's Day party Friday night turned sour for several people cited or arrested for alcohol-related crimes in Cape Girardeau.

Six people were arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated in the city. One man was cited for public consumption of alcohol, one was cited for urinating in public and seven bartenders were cited for selling alcohol to a minor.

Cape Girardeau Police Sgt. Rick Schmidt said the department had stepped up DWI patrols Friday night, with four DWI patrol cars instead of the usual one or two.

Alcohol compliance checks were performed at eight local bars. A minor working for the police department attempted to buy alcohol at each. Bartenders at D'Laydium, Pour House, Buckner Brewing Co., Broussard's, Rude Dog Pub, Nick's Sports Pub and Breakaways failed the compliance checks. Only Jeremiah's refused to sell the alcohol, and didn't even let the minor in the door, Schmidt said.

The compliance checks are part of a police department program, and St. Patrick's Day was chosen because of the large numbers of people out drinking, Schmidt said.

Last year the police also did a bar compliance check on St. Patrick's Day. That year eight of 10 bars sold to the minor.