(FOND DU LAC) More than a dozen alcohol vendors across Fond du Lac County sold alcohol to underage buyers during a recent round of compliance checks.
The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office says 13 out of 42 businesses failed the checks conducted over the past three months. Ten of those businesses didn’t check ID at all. Three checked identification but still completed the sale.
The countywide effort wrapped up March 14 after months of preparation that included training sessions, public notices, and outreach to local bars and retailers. The sheriff’s office worked with Fond du Lac County United Way Drug Free Communities to educate businesses ahead of time and warn them the checks were coming.
During the checks, people under 21 — using their real IDs — tried to buy alcohol while supervised by an adult. They were told to answer questions honestly and not mislead staff in any way.
Officials say the goal isn’t to catch businesses off guard, but to prevent alcohol from getting into the hands of young people. Underage drinking continues to play a role in crashes and injuries in the county each year.
The sheriff’s office says it plans to keep doing these checks as part of a broader push to reduce preventable deaths and keep young people safe.
