By RICKY KERR
Hays Post

Drug and alcohol crimes spiked at the beginning of this school year, while violent crime and theft remained low on the Hays Police Department tally, according to HPD arrest records from Aug. 2 to Sept. 2.

Ninety-three arrests were made last month for alleged drug and alcohol related crimes, with 37 of these arrests allegedly involving minors consuming or purchasing alcohol. One quarter of the 93 arrests were related driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Fifteen arrests were made for alleged violent crime and 19 arrests for alleged theft.

Out of the 29 arrests for drug possession or possession of paraphernalia, nine were made with suspicion of distribution.