BENTON, AR – Four local businesses have been cited for alcohol sales violations.
The Exxon EZ Mart, Pilot Travel Center, Rib Crib, and Applebee’s failed an undercover compliance check, the Benton Police Department (BNPD) said in a news release issued Wednesday.
Officers with the its Special Investigation Unit and the Saline County Sheriff’s Office recently conducted the checks of area businesses that serve alcohol. The checks are routinely done to make sure establishments are not serving alcohol to minors.
Five restaurants passed the checks. They are: Mac’s Minnows and More, Bullock’s, Harp’s Grocery, Tobacco Mart #2, and Chili’s.
The BNPD says the operations were carried out with undercover officers accompanying a minor into a business as they try to order an alcoholic beverage. If the minor was served alcohol they excused themselves from the business and it was turned over to officers who then issued a citation to the offender. Additionally, a report of the infraction will be forwarded to the Arkansas Alcohol Beverage Commission.
The businesses that failed the compliance check were issued a citation for Selling Alcohol to a Minor. Those that passed were given letters of appreciation. It was noted that the restaurants that passed are very proactive with requiring identification when customers order an alcoholic drink.
The goal of the program is to have 100 percent compliance during future operations, which will be conducted again in the near future. The BNPD says it will host a meeting soon to speak with all local businesses that have alcohol permits to remind them about compliance requirements.
