On Saturday November 22, 2014 detectives from the Regional Street Enforcement Team (SET) conducted an underage alcohol compliance operation at convenience/liquor stores and bars/restaurants near the University of Nevada, Reno. The operation was designed to coincide with tonight’s University of Nevada vs. Fresno State football game. The operation was a collaborative effort with the University of Nevada, Reno and the University of Nevada, Reno police services.
Some of the businesses were checked as a result of complaints from citizens about alcohol being sold to minors and/or previous failures during a similar operation.
Three 19 year old volunteers and one 20 year old volunteer attempted to purchase alcohol at seven different locations surrounding the University. Four of those businesses refused to sell alcohol to the volunteers, while three sold alcohol to the minors. Each of the failing businesses provided alcohol to all four underage volunteers, but was issued a citation for one count of sales/furnish alcohol to a minor.
Additionally the volunteers attempted to purchase alcohol from a convenience/liquor store in southwest Reno. This business was not factored into the compliance rate, because it is not located near the University. Including this passing business increased the compliance rate for the entire operation to 63%.
The following locations PASSED the compliance check by refusing to sell alcohol to the minors:
-The Little Waldorf Saloon, located at 1661 N. Virginia St.
-Valley Market, located at 505 Denslowe Dr.
-Corkscroo, located at 10 E. 9th St.
-Sharma Mart, located at 504 Denslowe Dr.
-Idlewild Market, located at 595 Booth St. *southwest Reno*
The Reno police department and the University of Nevada would like to thank the businesses who passed this operation for their diligence in ensuring only individuals of legal age are sold alcohol.
The following business FAILED the operation and the employee was issued a citation for the listed charge:
-Wolf’s Den, located at 1305 N. Virginia St. – Sales/furnish alcohol to a minor
-Archie’s, located at 2195 N. Virginia St. – Sales/furnish alcohol to a minor
-Pub N Sub, located at 1000 Ralston St. – Sales/furnish alcohol to a minor
As is the case in all SET alcohol compliance checks, the minors possessed their actual state issued identifications which clearly identified them as being under the age of 21. If the volunteers were asked for identification by the employees, the volunteers provided their real identification.
This compliance check was funded entirely by federal grant funds which were secured by our non-profit community partner; Join Together Northern Nevada (JTNN).
The Reno police department, University of Nevada, and JTNN would like to extend our appreciation and publicly recognize all of the passing businesses.
Selling/furnishing alcohol to a minor is a misdemeanor, with a pre-designated fine of $500.00. In addition to the citation issued to the employee, the registered owner of each failing business will also receive a citation from the City of Reno Business License Department for failing to meet requirements associated to their alcohol privilege license. The pre-designated penalty for the failing business is a $250.00 fine for the first offense in a 12 month period, $500.00 fine for the second offense in a 12 month period, and a suspension of their alcohol license for a third offense in a 12 month period.
The Regional Street Enforcement team is comprised of Detectives from the Reno Police Department, Sparks Police Department, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, and the University of Nevada Police Department.
SOURCE: RPD.
