The King County Sheriff's Office annual Party Patrol continues for at least the next several weeks.

Since the inception of Party Patrol in 1998, there have been no deaths or serious injury accidents involving juveniles and alcohol in the area where the patrol was in operation.

Party Patrol is a multi-jurisdictional effort by local police agencies, coordinated by the Sheriff's office. Past participants have included King County Sheriff's deputies and municipal police agencies around the county. Agents from the Liquor Control Board and troopers from the Washington State Patrol are also involved.

The Party Patrol plans to target parties where minors consume alcohol, either in private residences or in more rural areas. Deputies are geared up to obtain search warrants for residences, if necessary, and have done so several times in the past. Persons under the age of 18 found drinking will be arrested, then released only to their parents, or booked into the Youth Center.

Those between 18 and 21, as well as parents or other adults providing the premise for the party will get a misdemeanor citation and could be booked into jail.

"My goal here is to keep kids alive," says Sheriff Sue Rahr. "There are times, like now, where we have to have a firm hand in law enforcement to avoid senseless tragedies."