Three businesses were cited during a recent compliance checks of businesses that serve alcohol in Saline County.
“We want 100 percent compliance from businesses,” Benton Police Chief Kirk Lane said. “We’ll do these compliance checks periodically and it’s easy to stay compliant. It’s as easy as carding everyone attempting to purchase alcohol.”
Officers with the Benton Special Investigations Unit, the Saline County Sheriff’s Office, and the Alcoholic Beverage Control division of the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration conducted the undercover compliance checks in Benton, Bryant and Saline County. These checks were done to ensure that establishments are not serving alcohol to minors.
“It takes a team effort with the business owners, employees, citizens and law enforcement to stop underage drinking,” said Saline County Sheriff Rodney Wright. “The compliance checks will make the county safer immediately, and there will be lasting positive impact through these efforts.”
There were nine business establishments that passed compliance: Parkway Liquor, M&M’s Food Mart, Sardis Country Store, Rib Crib, Walmart (both Benton and Bryant stores), Mapco, Gino’s Sports Grill, and Exxon on Military Road in Benton. Three businesses received a citation for Selling Alcohol to a Minor: Alcoa Wine and Spirits, Logan’s Roadhouse, and Kum & Go in Bryant. Additionally, a report of the infractions will be forwarded to the Arkansas Alcohol Beverage Commission as well.
“We commend the business establishments who passed the alcohol compliance,” Lane said. “They are taking this responsibility seriously and they are following the state guidelines.”
The goal of the program is to have 100 percent compliance during future operations, which will be conducted again in the near future. 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.
To report suspected selling of alcohol or tobacco to minors, call the Benton Police Department at 501-778-1171 or 501-315-TIPS. Individuals also may send us anonymous information to CRIMES (274637) with the keyword BNPD in the body of the text or go to www.crimereports.com to leave a tip. A crime tip can also be submitted via the official Benton Police Department app found on ITunes and Google Play.
Any businesses listed as failing are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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