Officers with the Benton Special Investigation Unit and the Saline County Sheriff’s Office recently conducted undercover compliance checks of businesses that serve alcohol in Benton and Saline County. These checks were done to ensure that establishments are not serving alcohol to minors. There were five restaurants that passed and four that failed the compliance checks during this operation. The five establishments that passed were; Mac’s Minnows and More, Bullock’s, Harp’s Grocery, Tobacco Mart #2, and Chili’s. The four establishments that failed the check were; Exxon EZ Mart, Pilot Travel Center, Rib Crib, and Applebee’s.
These operations were carried out with undercover officers accompanying a minor who goes into the business and attempts to order an alcoholic beverage. If the minor was served alcohol they excused themselves from the business and it was turned over to officers who then issued a citation to the offender. Additionally, a report of the infraction will be forwarded to the Arkansas Alcohol Beverage Commission as well.
The businesses that failed the compliance check were issued a citation for Selling Alcohol to a Minor, but those that passed were recognized as well by being given letters of appreciation. It was noted that the restaurants that passed are now being very proactive with requiring identification when customers order an alcoholic drink.
The goal of the program is to have 100% compliance during future operations, which will be conducted again in the near future. In furtherance of this goal, we are developing a meeting date to speak with all local businesses that have alcohol permits so we can all be on the same page with compliance requirements. Alcohol permits are a privilege and it is important to the safety of our young people that the law associated with them is strictly adhered to at all times.
Any businesses listed as failing are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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