Booze part of the problem?

A little "get my drink on" buzz is cool, however some people on the ride were just too blatant with it and that's where our problems started. I saw a few people that had their coolers and would occassionally grab a swig while aware of their surroundings (like where the cops were). Others were just chugging and pedeling like there was no tomorrow. I believe that the cops thought that it was time, especially since it was dark, to shut us down. Again, open alcohol on the streets is illegal. That's cause right there. I stayed as long as I could, however I'm really not in the mood to be arrested when all I was doing was enjoying my ride, the other cyclists and the people along the way.