Underage alcohol consumption is against the law, but that doesn't mean under-21 State College drinkers are in store for frequent run-ins with local police.

Actually, those law-breaking alcohol indulgers seldom face any penalties -- as long as they refrain from causing too much trouble.

Law enforcement officals and students agree that underage drinking is far more prevalent than law enforcement statistics suggest.

"There are thousands out there drinking who aren't getting caught," said Lt. Carmine Prestia of the State College Police Department.

In 1993, State College police charged 155 people under the age of 21 for illegal possession, consumption or transportation of alcoholic beverages. University Police Services cited 108 minors for the same offense so far this academic year.

But those statistics don't sit well in some students' stomachs.

"I think they should use their resources against other things, instead of punishing kids who are having a good time," said Kenny Woodring (junior-labor and industrial relations).

Amy Smith (sophomore-advertising) said the Univeristy is not an environment in need of much drinking enforcement.

"It's a college town, and students should just be allowed to have fun," she said. "They can't really go anywhere to cause harm."

Despite what students may believe, police said they are not on a mission to eliminate a popular pastime at one of the nation's highest-ranked party schools.

"We're not necessarily out to catch people," University police officer James Norman said. "We're here to protect people's safety."

Norman added that curious students too often arrive at Penn State and quickly find themselves tempted by the allure of available alcohol. Those students often are unaware of the ramifications --both legal and physical -- of alcohol use, he said.

During the frigid winter season, alcohol and subzero temperatures can prove to be a deadly mix. Norman said he has dealt with students passed out in snowbanks on campus who were only minutes away from hypothermia or even death.

Prestia, who worked as an ambulance driver for 13 years, said he has also picked up his fair share of people whose drunkenness has resulted in injury or death.

"There's a tremendous cost there," he said, adding that the overall situation and students' attitudes have worsened since he began police work 23 years ago.

"We tend to see an attitude that says, 'I'm in college and now I have a right to go to a party and get drunk,' " Prestia said. "We're trying to combat that image."

David Caster, a crime prevention specialist officer for the State College police, said local officers do not arbitrarily stop students who appear to be under the age of 21 and intoxicated.

"If we arrested everyone that was technically in violation of the law, we wouldn't get anything done," Caster said.

Officers will only stop drunken pedestrians who are in danger of injury. Simply bumping into a few parking meters is not enough, Caster said.

But police will respond when they receive complaints of loud or rowdy parties. If they find minors in possession of alcohol, citations are issued.

In an attempt to make underage drinking easier, some minors opt to purchase fake identification cards. But the penalty for fake identification may not be worth it.

Not only are cards confiscated immediately, but minors' licenses are suspended for 90 days. Minors encounter fines that may accumulate up to $500 and face possible imprisonment for up to 90 days. Each subsequent offense may result in one year in prison.

Fines and penalties are not the only measures police take to combat underage alcohol consumption. Both the State College and University police support their enforcement measures with several alcohol-awareness programs.

Rep. Lynn Herman, R-Centre, said he supports that effort.

"Penn State does a good job in trying to control alcoholic beverages and trying to control incidents of . . . criminal activity," he said. "At this time, I think the efforts being made are adequate."

But some students think police need to focus their efforts more toward fraternity houses.

"Fraternities are never enforced," said Patti Noon (sophomore-elementary education). "I've never seen anyone denied any drinks."

Prestia said local fraternity chapters have made attempts to curtail underage drinking more aggressively over the past few years with efforts such as the "bring your own beer" policy, but added that he is unsure of the extent of their success.

"There probably is some (underage drinking), but we don't know how much," Prestia said.

Interfraternity Council President Bill Donato said every fraternity party is checked by IFC officials for any underage alcohol violations. Houses that do not comply with the rules can face strong penalties, including probation.

"In most of our chapters, it's working very well," Donato said of the self-enforcement method.

Collegian Staff Writer Stephanie Rosenfeld contributed to this report.