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GFPD conducts compliance check of businesses that sell alcohol

Compliance check of 36 businesses selling alcohol within city limits
Posted at 11:56 AM, Aug 02, 2019
and last updated 2019-08-02 13:56:15-04

On the evening of Wednesday, July 31, the Great Falls Police Department conducted a compliance check of 36 businesses selling alcohol within city limits.

A press release from the GFPD explains that the compliance checks are designed to ensure that liquor license holders are working to prevent the sale of alcohol to people under the age of 21.

Of the 36 establishments that were checked, 32 passed, for a success rate of 88%.

The four businesses that did not pass are:

  • Noon's #2 at 1300 12th Avenue South
  • Loaf-N-Jug #766 at 900 1st Avenue North
  • Flying J at 3715 31st Street SW
  • Hi Ho Tavern at 2600 10th Avenue South

The employees who sold alcohol to the underage buyers were issued a citation for violating MCA 16-3-301 (Unlawful Sales/Transfer to a Person under 21 years of age.)

The GFPD noted that this is a higher success rate than the most recent compliance check , conducted in the Autumn of 2018, when 74% succeeded.

The GFPD said: "The businesses and employees who passed the check deserve congratulations for their diligence in preventing alcohol sales to underage purchasers. Since the inception of mandatory alcohol server training in the State of Montana several years ago, the Great Falls Police Department has witnessed a dramatic decrease in illegal sales of alcohol to those persons less than 21 years of age."

Volunteers who participated in the compliance check were 18 or 19 years old and had a valid identification card or driver’s license, which was shown to every server or seller who asked to see them.

The checks are supported by STOP act funds provided by the Alliance for Youth Substance Abuse Prevention stakeholders.