SCITUATE, R.I. -- The Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police announced today that a task force made up of public safety agencies has formed to address safety issues associated with nightclubs, including consumption of alcohol by underage persons and other alcohol-related offenses.
Col. Steven. G. O'Donnell said the task force had been active throughout the state since the beginning of September and had inspected 30 nightclubs. Six were cited for violations, including eight fire-code violations and five Department of Business Regulation violations. Underage people were found drinking inside four of the nightclubs.
A total of 26 people were summoned to appear in District Court to answer to charges of possession of an alcoholic beverage by an underage person. One person was also charged for having false identification.
The task force is made up of state police and local police from several communities, college and university police, the state fire marshal's office, the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation and Mothers Against Drunk Driving. About 20 representatives of these agencies were present during the press conference.