Officers with the Benton Special Investigation Unit and the Saline County Sheriff’s Office recently conducted undercover compliance checks of restaurants that serve alcohol in Benton and Saline County. These checks were done to ensure that establishments are not serving alcohol to minors.
There were six restaurants that passed and three that failed the compliance checks during this operation. The six establishments that passed were; Smokey Joe’s, Chili’s, Gino’s, Riviera Maya, La Hacienda, and Applebee’s. The restaurants that failed the check were Eat My Catfish, Colton’s Steakhouse, and the Moose Lodge.
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. 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 suspects listed are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty
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