The number of charges at home football games for minors in possession of alcohol has increased gradually during the last three years, a slight hike that has prompted law enforcement and university officials to consider more regulations for tailgaters.

Fan safety, they say, is the motivation behind the possible new tailgating rules.

“There are a lot of people doing a really good job of tailgating,” said Capt. Doug Houghton, program manager for DPS. “But there is a small percentage of people who don’t. The real concern is somebody is going to get hurt.”

This year, according to DPS records, 96 minors were charged with being in possession of alcohol at home football games. Compiled reports from DPS show officers filed 80 minor-in-possession charges during the 2000 season, and 71 during the 1999 season.

Jerry Stewart, interim director of DPS, said a possible reason for the increase in arrests was an increase in “tailgate teams” patrolling the parking lots at earlier times than in the past.

“Our intent was to show our presence long before the game began and to issue citations as appropriate,” Stewart said.

He said the change appears to have been “very successful,” and will likely continue in the following years. He also said DPS plans “to work with the Athletic Department to modify behavior.”

“We hope that a festive and responsible atmosphere can be maintained,” he said.

Frank Randall, assistant athletics director for game day operations, said “changes have got to be made.”

“We’ve got flag poles falling on cars,” he said. “We’ve got kids throwing beer cans at people . We’ve got fires getting started. We need to do something.”

The Athletic Department, DPS and Thomas Hill, vice president for student affairs, will have input about next season’s changes, he said.

“We don’t want to take away the entertainment of students during a game, but we can’t risk the liability of someone going out there and getting hurt,” Randall said.