Most businesses pass alcohol checks

The Daily Inter Lake

Seven out of 10 retailers refused to sell alcohol to a minor Thursday in checks performed by the Kalispell Police Department.

That's a vast improvement from the first checks, conducted a couple of years ago, when about 70 percent of the businesses failed, according to Kalispell Police Chief Frank Garner.

The department sends in an underage buyer with legitimate identification. Clerks who sell alcohol are charged with "unlawful delivery of alcohol" and must go to court.

Businesses that are repeat offenders jeopardize their licenses from the state Department of Revenue.

The businesses that passed Thursday were Kum and Go on East Idaho Street, Best Bet Casino on East Idaho, Gold Dust Casino, Ole's, Albertsons, Town Pump on West Idaho, and Mulligan's.

Two of the businesses that failed are repeat offenders: Meridian Express & Deli and Meridian Conoco.

Garner said he's happy to see more businesses passing.

"Retailers are to be commended," he said. "They are doing a much better job."

"The idea behind the compliance checks is to gain compliance," he said. That seems to be happening.

Clerks and bartenders can be personally fined if they sell to underage customers.

A couple of businesses have been warned after repeated violations that the next time they fail, their liquor licenses may be revoked, Garner said.

The checks were initially funded by the Department of Revenue, but local law enforcement agencies have kept the checks going as a way to help reduce underage drinking.