BDPD Detail Alcohol Compliance Check Process

(Beaver Dam) Beaver Dam Police Sergeant Jeremiah Johnson detailed how an alcohol compliance check is conducted during a recent appearance on WBEV’s Community Comment. The checks allow law enforcement to determine if businesses with a liquor license are carding underage patrons, correctly identifying that they are underage and selling the alcohol to them. Businesses who commit an infraction are cited and assessed demerit points against their establishment. Liquor licenses can be suspend or revoked if a business accumulates 200 or more points in a rolling 18-month period.

Johnson says they will utilize underage volunteers or members of a law enforcement program such as the Dodge County Sheriff Cadets to conduct the sweeps. He says when selecting a youth participant to enter a business to buy alcohol, they must look the part. Johnson says they will not use a person who presents as being much older than they really are, such as a 20-year-old with a beard. He says… “the goal is not to be sneaky.”

Johnson says he usually offers a few suggestions of the kind of alcohol the underage volunteer should avoid tying to buy including hard liquors like Jack Daniels. He says it is important to… “keep it simple” and buy some wine coolers or beer. Johnson says the alcohol is purchased using taxpayer money so it is immediately returned if a business does end up selling it to the underage patron.