The fall semester is in full swing at the University of Montana, and that means party cars are cruising the streets of Missoula.

But it can be a bummer when they show up.

Because the "party cars" in question are driven by the Missoula police and their job is to catch underage drinkers.

It's part of the police department's Strategic Alcohol Plan, now in its third year, which gears up at the end of summer and really gets rolling during football season.

Underage and trying to buy beer at a convenience store? The guy behind the counter might be a cop.

Ah, but maybe you've outsmarted him by sending an older friend in to buy for you. Or maybe not - a plainclothes cop could be waiting for you in the parking lot when your friend makes the handoff. Can you say busted?

Oh, and if you think it's OK to go ahead and have that fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth shot with your friends because you're over 21 and your sober designated driver is standing right next to you, think again. Uncool - as in illegal. Besides, guess what? Another one of those plainclothes cops might be standing by, ready to slap both your bartender and your buddies with citations.