In Fridley, police rely predominantly on regular alcohol compliance checks to inform them of any problems in their local establishments. According to Fridley police Captain Lynn Tellers, the most difficult situation is one in which food is served in addition to liquor. You really have to be able to rely on your bartenders and servers to be doing their jobs. Which, for the most part, according to Tellers, they do, based on the results of recent compliance checks. According to Brennan, the police get a handful of calls from security every week.
Weekends are the times when our resources are most strapped.
The department believes that posting conspicuous warnings at entrances that clearly delineate the penalties for underage consumption and using false identification will go a long way toward impressing upon patrons that the business is serious about prosecution. The Mermaid has also recently purchased imaging equipment that stores identification images for use in later identifying someone who violates the age requirement. Regardless of the strict approach some business owners have taken, however, according to Brennan, a significant number of youths are telling the police that they were drinking at home before coming to the bar. Sanctions for underage consumption or presenting a false ID include a citation, after which the youth must make a court appearance and pay a fine, according to Brennan.