Rosemount earns grant to conduct alcohol compliance checks
The Rosemount Police Department has been awarded a grant to conduct alcohol compliance checks on all licensed retailers and will carry out the tests this fall.
In the next few months, Rosemount officers will conduct the first round of compliance checks, according to a release from the city. A second round of checks will be conducted after the first of the year.
A compliance check is a tool to identify businesses that sell alcohol to underage youth. A law enforcement officer works with an underage youth who attempts to purchase alcohol from a bar, restaurant, liquor store, grocery store, or other licensed outlet.
If the clerk or server asks for identification and refuses the sale, the outlet passes the compliance check. If the employee completes the sale, the outlet has illegally sold alcohol and fails the check.
Any seller caught selling to an underage buyer will be referred to the city attorney’s office for criminal prosecution. In addition, the owner of the alcohol license will face civil prosecution.
Along with the issuance of an alcohol license comes the responsibility to ensure that all sales are made legally and responsibly, the city said.
Law enforcement officials are committed to working with retailers to help them abide by the law, the city said, and it noted that selling alcohol is a legitimate business that plays a valid role in the community.
Penalties for selling to a minor can include fines and license suspensions and can potentially lead to license revocation. Typical fine for a first violation is $500. A server who sells to someone under 21 can be charged with a gross misdemeanor crime.
Invitation Health Institute has provided the alcohol compliance check funding through the Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws Program of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
