Alcohol checks improve Pine Street problems
Bryanna Lindblom: Muleskinner
Issue date: 2/5/09 Section: News
Although Warrensburg has turned the infamous Pine Street bars into 21 and over to enter, this has not stopped the Warrensburg police and UCM police from continuing to run their liquor compliance checks. Bruce Howey, chief of police, said ongoing checks are needed and will continue.
"We are working hard and there are several businesses working hard to make sure we are getting compliance," he said. "It's one of those things we will continue working on."
Liquor compliance is conducted to ensure that local businesses are following the guidelines of not selling to minors and that those who are underage do not have access to liquor. Sgt. Kim Vansell, of UCM Public Safety, said Public Safety works regularly with the Warrensburg Police Department in liquor compliance checks.
"The liquor compliance check consists of having a minor work with us and we monitor them going into a business and attempting the purchase of alcohol," Vansell said.
There is not a routine time frame that the compliance checks take place. Howey said that this is very important.
"I wouldn't want to be pressed down to how frequent we go in; it's very wise to keep that surprise [in check]," he said. "We are frequently on a staggered basis to go in and check. We will tactically change it to make sure we are getting an accurate reading."
Businesses that do not comply with liquor laws are reported to the Missouri Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control. Those who do not sell to minors are also acknowledged. However, this acknowledgement is done with a congratulatory certificate and a T-shirt.
During the last compliance check, only one business out of 14 checked sold to a minor.
"All of last year, we had about, it's in the 80 percentile of businesses within compliance," Vansell said. "Which for our state, that number is very good."
Vansell said the success rate is because of UCM's increased enforcement, along with increased Warrensburg prevention in the past two years.
"We are working hard and there are several businesses working hard to make sure we are getting compliance," he said. "It's one of those things we will continue working on."
Liquor compliance is conducted to ensure that local businesses are following the guidelines of not selling to minors and that those who are underage do not have access to liquor. Sgt. Kim Vansell, of UCM Public Safety, said Public Safety works regularly with the Warrensburg Police Department in liquor compliance checks.
"The liquor compliance check consists of having a minor work with us and we monitor them going into a business and attempting the purchase of alcohol," Vansell said.
There is not a routine time frame that the compliance checks take place. Howey said that this is very important.
"I wouldn't want to be pressed down to how frequent we go in; it's very wise to keep that surprise [in check]," he said. "We are frequently on a staggered basis to go in and check. We will tactically change it to make sure we are getting an accurate reading."
Businesses that do not comply with liquor laws are reported to the Missouri Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control. Those who do not sell to minors are also acknowledged. However, this acknowledgement is done with a congratulatory certificate and a T-shirt.
During the last compliance check, only one business out of 14 checked sold to a minor.
"All of last year, we had about, it's in the 80 percentile of businesses within compliance," Vansell said. "Which for our state, that number is very good."
Vansell said the success rate is because of UCM's increased enforcement, along with increased Warrensburg prevention in the past two years.
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