Members of the Regional Street Enforcement Team (SET) conducted an underage alcohol compliance operation during this weekend’s downtown Zombie Crawl. The operation was funded with federal grant funds secured by the SET’s non-profit partner, Join Together Northern Nevada (JTNN).
Two 18-year-old volunteers and one 19-year-old, one of whom was dressed for the event, but the costume had no affect on their identity (no mask or face paint), attempted to purchase alcohol at 13 different participating Zombie Crawl venues. In addition to the Zombie Crawl venues, four non-participating liquor stores were also checked.
The minors were served alcohol at five of the 13 participating locations and two of the four liquor stores. In each case, the volunteers provided their actual state issued identification if they were asked for it, clearly identifying them as underage patrons.
According to a news release, 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 alcohol.
The following participating businesses passed the operation:
- Thai Corner Café, located at 100 W. 2nd St.
- Tonic, located at 231 West 2nd St
- Our bar, located at 211 West 1st St.
- Singer Social Club, located at 219 W. 2nd St.
- El Cortez bar, located at 239 West 2nd St.
- Heritage, located inside Whitney Peak Hotel/Casino at 255 N. Virginia St.
- 3rd Street bar, located at 125 West 3rd St.
- The Little Nugget, located at 233 N. Virginia St.
The following participating businesses failed the operation by serving alcohol to the minor and received the listed citation:
- Chocolate Bar, located at 95 North Sierra St. (Sale/furnish alcohol to minor)
- Doc Holiday’s, located at 120 E. 2nd St. (Sale/furnish alcohol to minor)
- 1 Up, located at 214 W. Commercial Row (Sale/furnish alcohol to minor and allowing minor into a bar/saloon)
- Siri Bar, located in Siri Casino at 241 N. Virginia St. (Sale/furnish alcohol to minor)
- Pizza Reno, located at 26 W. 2nd St. (Sale/furnish alcohol to minor)
The following liquor stores were checked and passed the operation:
Sharma Mart #1, located at 504 Denslowe Rd.
Valley Market, located at 505 Denslowe Rd.
The following liquor stores were checked and failed the operation by serving alcohol to the minor, receiving the listed citation:
- DJ Liquor, located at 229 W. 2nd St. (Sale/furnish alcohol to minor)
Idlewild Market, located at 595 Booth St. (Sale/furnish alcohol to minor) - The criminal penalty for serving alcohol to a minor and allowing a minor into a bar/saloon are misdemeanors, with a pre-designated fine/bail 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.
SET and JTNN will meet with the failing business and discuss strategies to improve compliance through practices and equipment. SET’s goal is to form a partnership with local businesses to increase compliance and prevent alcohol service to those under 21.
