RPD NEWS RELEASE
Members of the Regional Street Enforcement Team (SET) conducted an underage alcohol compliance operation during this weekend’s downtown Pirate Crawl. The operation was funded with federal grant funds secured by our partner Join Together Northern Nevada (JTNN).
An 18-year-old, four 19-year-old and two 20-year-old volunteers, whose costumes had no effect on their identity, attempted to purchase alcohol at 16 different participating Pirate Crawl venues. In addition to the Pirate Crawl venues, four non-participating establishments were also checked. The minors were served alcohol at four of those locations, three of which were Pirate Crawl participating establishments, one of which was not.
In each instance, the volunteers provided their actual state issued identification, listing their true ages, if they were asked for it.
In addition to the alcohol compliance check, SET detectives verified employees possessed an alcohol awareness training card, required by state law. All of the employees checked were in possession of the alcohol awareness training card.
Two uniformed officers were also included in this operation to enforce underage alcohol laws in the downtown area. These officers also educated and enforced laws regarding open containers between venues for adults. Two citations were issued to minors for consumption of alcohol by a minor. Sixteen open container warnings were also given.
The Reno police department would like to remind downtown visitors that possession of open alcohol containers is prohibited on city sidewalks/streets unless a special permit allows for the open containers, which will only be allowed in designated areas.
It is the goal of the Reno police department and JTNN to create a fun and safe environment during the downtown crawls, while ensuring only subjects who are over the age of 21 are served or in possession of alcohol.
The following businesses passed the operation:
- Chocolate Bar, located at 95 North Sierra St. – non participant
- Sierra Tap House, located at 252 West 1st St. – non participant
- Imperial Bar and Lounge, located at 150 North Arlington – participant
- Tonic, located at 231 West 2nd St. – participant
- El Cortez bar, located at 239 West 2nd St.- participant
- Five Star Saloon, located at 132 West St. – participant
- 3rd Street bar, located at 125 West 3rd St. -participant
- Little Nugget Casino, located at 233 North Virginia St. – non participant
- Se7en, located at 148 West St. – participant
- Waterfall, located at 134 West 2nd St. – participant
- Pizza Reno, located at 26 W. 2nd St. – participant
- The Brew Brothers, located inside the El Dorado Hotel/Casino 345 North Virginia St. – participant
- West 2nd St. bar, located at 118 West 2nd St. – participant
- Whisky Bar, located at 100 North Arlington – participant
- Bubinga Nightclub, located inside the El Dorado Hotel/Casino 345 North Virginia St. – non participant
- Sapphire Lounge, located inside of Harrah’s Hotel/Casino 236 N. Virginia St. – participant
The following businesses failed the operation by serving alcohol to the minor and received the listed citation:
- 1 Up bar, located at 214 West Commercial Row – participant – Sales of alcohol to a minor
- Rise, located at 210 North Sierra St. – participant – Sales of alcohol to a minor and Allow minor in alcohol establishment (door person)
- Bar, located at 211 West 1st St. – non participant – Sales of alcohol to a minor and Allow minor in alcohol establishment (door person)
- Harrah’s Plaza, located 236 N. Virginia St. – participant – Sales of alcohol to a minor and Furnish alcohol to minor
The criminal penalty for serving alcohol to a minor, allowing a minor into a bar, and furnishing alcohol to a minor are all misdemeanors, with a predesignated fine of $500.00.
The Reno Police Department would like to thank the businesses who successfully passed the compliance operation for their diligence and ensuring underage minors were not served alcohol.
The Regional Street Enforcement team comprises detectives from the Reno Police Department, Sparks Police Department and Washoe County Sheriff’s Office.
