Signs Iowa City's 21-only ordinance may be working

Iowa City Police Department says while it is too early to tell if decreased numbers of possession of alcohol under the legal age citations is directly related the city's new minimum bar entry age or the results of officers working more proactively, there is a noticeable difference in downtown Iowa City.

Sgt. Denise Brotherton said while the downtown area was still busy last weekend, there were not as many people who had traveled from Cedar Rapids and Muscatine to party.

Police issued two PAULA citations and nine violations of the 21-only ordinance.  Sgt. Brotherton said officers issued 19 PAULA citations in neighborhoods, and broke up two house parties.

Sgt. Brotherton said grant money has allowed the city to bring in more officers to assist with patrolling downtown and the neighborhoods.  She said time will tell whether it is the officers or the new law which is changing the drinking culture in Iowa City.

The police department intends to continue their close monitoring of underage drinking downtown and in surrounding neighborhoods during the coming weeks.  Sgt. Brotherton said there may be a point when officers more closely examining the use of fake identification cards, too.