Of 19 Grand Forks businesses, nearly 70% passed April 30 alcohol compliance checks
May 1—GRAND FORKS — Of the 19 businesses the Grand Forks Police Department checked for alcohol compliance on Tuesday, April 30, 13 passed.
The GFPD conducts compliance checks several times per year, according to a press release. Community members under the age of 21 participate in the checks by entering an establishment that sells alcohol — under the supervision of a police officer — and attempting to purchase alcohol while in no way trying to conceal their age.
If the sale is refused, the business passes the check. If the sale is completed, the officer who observed it takes appropriate action, the release said.
The businesses that passed were Rhombus Guys Pizza, Charlie Brown's Bar, Kaizen, Sledster's Food & Brew, Brick & Barley, Bonzer's Sandwich Pub, Broken Drum Bar & Grill, The Rock Bottle Shop, Hilton Garden Inn, Buffalo Wild Wings, Ground Round, Charras and Tequila and SouthTown PourHouse.
The GFPD congratulates those who pass and appreciate businesses that play a role in preventing underage access to alcohol, the release said.
This is the second time the agency has released the names of businesses that passed the test, rather than those that failed. Cpl. Brian Samson told the Herald this decision was made following a recommendation from the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition.
"They recommended trying to switch to a more positive tone, congratulating those businesses that passed, to try to get others to do the same thing," Samson said. "We decided to give it a try."
It's too soon to say whether there's been an affect, though, he said.
On Feb. 6, six out of 10 businesses passed GFPD alcohol compliance checks. In October 2023, 10 out of 12 businesses passed.
