The Mesquite Police Department has received an Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws (EUDL) grant which will help officers enforce state and local laws making it illegal to possess or purchase alcohol by anyone under the age of 21.
Jeffrey Smith, Mesquite Police Department Public Information Officer, told the MLN, “Officers will be using trained ‘undercover’ minors who will be attempting to buy alcohol from local liquor retailers. This will allow police officers to identify sales associates who may be selling alcohol to minors.
“A citation may be issued to the sales associates who are caught selling alcohol to minors,” he added.
Smith said training and, or technical assistance will be offered to the employer to avoid future alcohol sales to minors.
The Mesquite Police Department recently conducted a survey using a 21-year-old man to see if retailers are asking for identification when alcohol is being purchased. Of the nine businesses checked, only one did not ask for ID.
“The Mesquite Police Department has not received reports of any local retailers selling alcohol to minors,” Smith added. “We just want retailers to continue to educate their employees that selling alcohol to minors is illegal.”