HOLBROOK — An increase in vagrancy and public intoxication is prompting law enforcement officials in Holbrook to provide increased enforcement of the law to address the issue.

According to Holbrook Police Chief Nathan Christensen, the effort will involve increased police presence at stores, bars and city-owned properties with a focus on citations.

“This has been a problem that I remember since I first became a police officer in Holbrook. I’m hoping that by addressing those who sell alcohol to inebriated people and those who are attempting to purchase alcohol while inebriated will curb that,” stated Christensen. A press release provided by the department states that as of Sunday, Sept. 30, the HPD would enact a zero-tolerance policy regarding liquor violations within city limits.

This includes retailers selling to obviously intoxicated persons and citing clerks and businesses when appropriate, as well as citing any obviously intoxicated individual who attempts to purchase alcohol from a licensee or employee of a licensee, or consumes alcohol on a licensed premises. It is also a violation to possess an open container of alcohol or to possess alcohol on city-owned property without a permit from the city.

“With public intoxication we have to respond to a lot more fights between inebriated subjects. There are more thefts and shoplifting incidents, and although begging is legal, we get a lot of complaints. This is something that really tarnishes Holbrook and I want to make it uncomfortable to be here if that’s your intent. My officers will be looking for more violations and issuing citations,” stated Christensen.

In Arizona it is not illegal to be inebriated in public as long as no crime is being committed and there is no public disruption. As a result, intoxicated persons are allowed at parks and public areas. “If we see someone who is passed out due to alcohol we wake them up and move them along but we can’t arrest them for that,” he said.

He sees as the root of the problem retailers selling cheap alcohol in their stores and then over serving. “We want to educate the public and businesses that serving intoxicated people is a misdemeanor crime,” he said.

Christensen encourages the public to report violations to the police department at (928) 524-3991.