Alcohol Compliance Check Brings Good Result

During an alcohol compliance check held by the Reading Police Department Detective Unit on Tuesday, Aug. 5, operatives under the age of 21 went into 24 businesses in Reading and attempted to purchase alcohol.

Police reported the check to be 100 percent successful and there were no violations or sales to a minor.

Twenty-three establishments passed the test, while one establishment, The Reading Overseas Veterans Club, was closed at the time of the check.

The establishments that passed include: American Legion Post 63, Bangkok Spice Thai Restaurant, Bertucci’s Italian Restaurant, Busa’s Reading Liquors, Cafe Capri, Chili’s Grill & Bar, Fuddruckers, Grumpy Doyle’s, Knights of Columbus, Liquor Junction, Longhorn Steak House, Mandarin Reading Restaurant, Meadow Brook Golf Club, Ricky’s Liquors, Oye’s Restaurant, Pamplemousse, Portland Pie Company, Ristorante Pavarotti, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, Sam’s Bistro, Square Liquors, The Wine Shop, and Venetian Moon Restaurant.

Since 2008, the Reading Police Department, as well as town and school leaders have been working alongside Reading Coalition Against Substance Abuse in order to improve local liquor policy, responsible beverage service education, training, and alcohol enforcement within the community.

Compliance checks in Reading will be held throughout the year and into the future in order to see more improvements in the local compliance rate.

Communities that reduce the availability of alcohol to underage drinkers have experienced fewer crashes and fewer crimes, reported the Reading Police Department.

Reading’s underage drinking rate from 2007 to 2013 has seen a 7 percent decrease, according to the Reading Youth Risk Behavior Survey results. The rate in 2007 was 48 percent, while in 2013 it was 41 percent.

Police urge the community to join the cause. You can help by using the police department’s anonymous Text-A-Tip program: Text the keyword “READINGPD” and send your tips to 847411.

Photo credit: Reading Police Department Facebook page