Police seize alcohol, lay charges against underage drinkers at Sandbanks Provincial Park for ‘skip weekend’

Alcohol seized by OPP officers at a RIDE check during "skip weekend" at Sandbanks Provincial Park. (OPP/Handout)

Ontario Provincial Police say officers seized a “significant” amount of alcohol from underage drinkers as high schoolers flocked to the beach over the weekend.

In a news release Tuesday, OPP says officers conducted a series of traffic enforcements for “skip weekend” at the Prince Edward County park between May 28 and May 31 where over 900 vehicles were inspected at Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) checks.

The informal event typically attracts a large number of high schoolers, where senior students typically swap a day in the classroom for the beach.

Police say most of the alcohol seized over the weekend was located inside vehicles with open containers, where the occupants were under the legal drinking age of 19.

OPP provided a photo showing alcohol seized at one of the RIDE checks, a portion of the alcohol seized during the enforcement. Police didn’t provide the exact number of charges laid for underage drinking.

Two people were arrested for impaired driving over the weekend. Both were released and handed automatic licence suspensions.

Multiple seven-day licence suspensions were handed out for alcohol-related offences, including to drivers blowing warn-range readings and novice drivers registering a blood alcohol concentration above zero.

“Police also responded to several incidents during the enforcement period, including a youth requiring medical attention after consuming alcohol and cannabis, a stolen vehicle investigation that resulted in an arrest, and multiple traffic-related occurrences that led to additional charges and warnings,” OPP say.

“The OPP reminds all motorists that enforcement efforts will continue, and there is zero tolerance for impaired or unsafe driving.”

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